CIA Director John Brennan admitted that the agency did hack into the computers of Sen. Dianne Feinstein and other Senate staffers — an allegation he had denied in March.
In a search for Bush-era interrogation practices, computers were hacked in “a manner inconsistent with the common understanding” between the Senate and the agency, Mr. Brennan has concluded, agency spokesman Dean Boyd said Thursday, National Journal reported.
Mr. Brennan apologized to both Mrs. Feinstein, who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee, and the panel’s top Republican, Sen. Saxby Chambliss, for the actions of his officers, the Journal reported. The CIA’s reversal comes after a briefing on the inspector general’s findings.
The findings of the internal investigation have now been submitted to an accountability board led by retired Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh, the Journal reported.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), released a statement on the revelations Wednesday, saying “What’s needed now is a public apology from Director Brennan to staff and the committee, a full accounting of how this occurred and a commitment there will be no further attempts to undermine Congressional oversight of CIA activities.”
