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Press Release

Endicott Man Sentenced for Writing a False Letter Accusing his Former Boss of Being a Foreign Intelligence Officer

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of New York

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK –United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Albany Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale, announced today the sentencing of RYAN LETCHER, age 39, of Endicott, New York. LETCHER was convicted on August 6, 2014, after a jury trial of one count of knowingly and willfully making a false statement in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1001(a)(3). On December 4, 2014, the Honorable Thomas J. McAvoy sentenced LETCHER to a four year term of probation and ordered LETCHER to pay a $5,000 fine and perform 180 hours of community service. Additionally, LETCHER was ordered to have no contact with his former boss and with BAE Systems.

In March 2012, LETCHER wrote an anonymous letter accusing his former supervisor of being a foreign intelligence officer. The testimony during trial established that the term “foreign intelligence officer” means a spy for another country. LETCHER admitted that he sent the letter and stated that he sent the letter because of his disdain for his former supervisor.

The case was investigated by the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tamara Thomson.

Updated February 10, 2015