Former U.S. Military Translator Found Guilty of Making False Statements
| U.S. Attorney’s Office January 14, 2011 |
Issam Hamama, age 60, was found guilty by a federal jury in Detroit, Michigan, on three counts of making false statements on applications for security clearances and in interviews with agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. Among the jury’s findings were that the defendant lied to FBI agents when he said he was not a source for the Iraqi Intelligence Service and that he did not receive payments from the Iraqi government—all of which occurred at a time when Iraq was ruled by Saddam Hussein. Hamama was acquitted of one count of conspiracy to act as agent of the Iraq government, and one count of making a false statement about his foreign business activities.
The jury deliberated for approximately a day and a half before returning the verdict, concluding a trial that began on January 4, 2011 before United States District Judge Nancy G. Edmunds.
U.S. Attorney McQuade was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent In Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The evidence at trial showed that Hamama, an Iraqi native and naturalized U.S. citizen, lived in El Cajon, Calif. He previously lived in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Beginning in 1992, Hamama—known as agent 6129—worked in the U.S. as a source for Sadaam Hussein’s government, traveling to Washington to take orders and money from the Iraqi Intelligence Service. Hamama would collect information regarding individuals and organizations located in the United States. Hamama also traveled to Iraq as part of his work.
Hamama applied to become a translator for the U.S. military in Iraq in 2003 and 2005 but failed to disclose his secret assignments for Hussein and the Ba’ath Party when he signed security clearance applications.
The defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years on each of the three counts of conviction. Sentencing is scheduled for May 19, 2011.
United States Attorney McQuade thanked the Detroit office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their efforts that lead to this successful prosecution.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cathleen Corken and Michael Martin.