Worker Suspected in Nuclear Lab Security Lapse Could Have Had Access to Highly Classified Data

A former Los Alamos National Laboratory contract worker under investigation for a security breach once held a high-level security clearance and might have had access to intelligence reports and other highly classified information, the Washington Post reported today (see GSN, Oct. 25; Dan Eggen, Washington Post, Oct. 26).

Jessica Quintana, a 22-year-old former employee of Information Assets Management, is under scrutiny after Los Alamos police responded to a domestic disturbance at her home and reportedly found classified laboratory material.

Quintana was not at home during the Friday incident, when police replied to calls about a fight at the residence between Justin Stone and his girlfriend.  Stone was arrested for probation violations and also faces drug charges, the Associated Press reported.

Quintana no longer worked for the contractor, which converts paper documents to electronic files, and was fired Monday from her job at the YMCA, according to AP (Deborah Baker, Associated Press, Oct. 26).

The classified information is contained on at least three computer memory sticks found in her home, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. (Andy Lenderman, Santa Fe New Mexican, Oct. 26).

“This is a serious matter, and we are taking immediate steps to address it,” said laboratory Director Michael Anastasio.  “We intend to do everything possible to guard against any criminal activity, particularly where a breach of security may be involved” (Eggen, Washington Post).

The National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the U.S. national laboratories, was sending its nuclear security defense chief to the laboratory to investigate the situation.  Computer experts are also being sent to help confirm that all agency orders are being followed, AP reported.

The incident followed several years of security enhancements at the nuclear weapons laboratory, spurred by repeated lapses in controlling classified information.

Those measures have apparently not entirely succeeded, said New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who served as energy secretary during the Clinton administration.

“We need to plug the leaks, we need to beef up security,” he said yesterday.  “This can’t keep happening” (Baker, Associated Press).

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