50 U.S.C. § 783 – Communication of Classified Information by Government Employees (Internal Security Act)
A national security statute targeting classified disclosures involving foreign agents.
What § 783 covers.
Section 783 makes it a federal crime for certain U.S. government officers or employees to disclose classified information affecting national security to a person they know, or have reason to believe, is acting as an agent or representative of a foreign government, unless specific authorization exists.
The statute also criminalizes the receipt or attempted receipt of such classified information by foreign agents themselves.
Who is covered.
- Federal officers or employees
- Employees of federal departments or agencies
- Employees of corporations owned wholly or primarily by the United States
- Foreign government agents or representatives who seek or obtain classified information
Authorization matters.
Disclosure is only lawful if the employee receives specific authorization from the President or the head of the relevant department, agency, or government-owned corporation. General access to classified material does not authorize disclosure.
Penalties.
A violation of § 783 carries:
- Up to 10 years in federal prison
- Fines of up to $10,000
- Permanent disqualification from holding federal office or positions of trust
Extended statute of limitations.
Prosecution may occur up to ten years after the offense. If the accused was a government employee at the time, the ten-year period may begin after employment ends, not when the conduct occurred.
Forfeiture exposure.
Conviction triggers mandatory forfeiture of:
- Proceeds derived from the offense
- Property used to commit or facilitate the violation
Why § 783 matters.
This statute sits at the intersection of espionage law and internal security enforcement. Investigations often involve classified evidence, parallel intelligence reviews, and long-term exposure well after government service ends.
If classified information or alleged foreign-agent contact is involved, call (314) 900-HELP or contact our federal criminal defense attorneys to assess risk and defense strategy early.
