Abraham Teklu Lemma, a 54-year-old former U.S. government contractor, has pleaded guilty to espionage on behalf of the Ethiopian government, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Lemma, who previously worked as an information technology contractor for the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the National Reconnaissance Office, exploited his position to access and transmit highly classified information.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro stated that Lemma’s actions, which spanned over two years, constituted a severe betrayal of trust, jeopardizing national security. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg emphasized the gravity of Lemma’s offenses, noting that he used his IT administrator access to remove classified national defense information, including Top Secret documents, from secure facilities. This information was reportedly intended to assist Ethiopian government officials in targeting paramilitary fighters amid a regional conflict.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge, Darren B. Cox, reiterated the serious implications of Lemma’s conduct, which included conspiring with senior Ethiopian officials to disclose materials protected at the highest level. Court documents reveal that Lemma, a resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, held a Top Secret U.S. security clearance and was involved in transmitting dozens of highly classified documents and materials to Ethiopian officials.
During his espionage activities, Lemma took multiple steps to conceal his actions, including hand-carrying classified notes out of secure U.S. government facilities and removing electronic versions of classified information. Prosecutors indicated that his conspirators included senior officials from Ethiopia’s political, military, and intelligence branches. Sentencing for Lemma has been scheduled for April 14, 2027.
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