MISTRIAL MD - US Army Major Jamie Henry and Ana Gabrelian, Doctors, accused of sharing medical information with Russia, Sept 2022

[RickshawFan]

OMG the mind-bending ignorance of this all from a doctor working at an elite institution, and presumably with a great education:

In a late August meeting between the three in a Baltimore hotel room, Henry allegedly claimed to have researched volunteering for the Russian army after they invaded Ukraine. Henry expressed a belief that the U.S. was using Ukrainians “as a proxy for their own hatred toward Russia,” the indictment says.

Baltimore Doc and Army Major Spouse Tried to Slip Info to Russia, Feds Say

The married couple, one of whom had secret-level security clearance, were duped by an FBI agent posing as a Kremlin operative, the feds say.

www.thedailybeast.com

 

[RickshawFan]

Some NYT background on sex-blackmail by Putin et al. Russia's Sexual Blackmail

I would guess sex may be some aspect of this spy case, or the two spies thought it would be. At any rate, this kind of history is backdrop here IMO.

But maybe I'm making a bad guess by highlighting sex as key? It's just that Russia LOVES sex kompromat.... And if medical records were being handed over....

 

[RickshawFan]

I thought I'd seen every possible kookie angle, but..... they actually read up about how to be a Soviet spy!!! like some kind of research project [Too bad WS no longer has that emoji of actual rolling around on floor laughing].

An Army major's wife had them read up on how to be a Soviet spy so they could leak sensitive US military medical info to Russia, prosecutors say

In a federal indictment, prosecutors allege that Dr. Anna Gabriellian told her partner to read "Inside the Aquarium," a book on Soviet espionage.

www.businessinsider.com

 

[EyeCandy]

but they are both out on bond with no home confinement. What the hey....when it comes to selling information to an enemy there is NO small crime. <modsnip> IMHO

 

[RickshawFan]

You were right though, if I understood you correctly? JLH initially transitioned to female, but currently identifies as male. Sorry if I am repeating myself.

I see there's a lot of confusion inherent in the story! See what happened to media outlets...

Media struggle picking pronouns for ex-Army doctor who tried to leak information to Russia

Some media outlets had a hard time figuring out what pronouns to use in describing a U.S. Army doctor accused of trying to leak medical information to Russia.

www.foxnews.com

 

[IDK]

I see there's a lot of confusion inherent in the story! See what happened to media outlets...

Media struggle picking pronouns for ex-Army doctor who tried to leak information to Russia

Some media outlets had a hard time figuring out what pronouns to use in describing a U.S. Army doctor accused of trying to leak medical information to Russia.

www.foxnews.com

That’s very interesting that a MSM source is having so much trouble with the issue, thanks for posting!

 

[Charlot123]

Big money from whom to whom? I'm not sure I understand. It doesn't sound like these 2 spies were asking for much.

I thought big money was exactly why they agreed to spy.

But: I was wrong. Apparently, double agents are not paid well.

Counterintelligence agents for the Western powers told us what China and Russia pay their double-agents

It turns out that spies are cheap. You can buy a traitor for the price of a car. One spy recently uncovered inside NATO cost China only 17,000 euros.

www.businessinsider.com

The reason I was wrong is because I remembered Russia TV's "talking heads". Some of them are from LGBTQ community, some, ethnic minorities. They agree to spew dangerous lies on TV; Ukraine considers them war criminals. Russian opposition leader Navalny, now imprisoned, once made a movie about their cost. Astronomically high. So I assumed this couple was, too, swayed by money. Apparently, not. Now, I don't even know.

 

[Cryptic]

I wonder if it was LGBT medical info JLH was handing over? That would make the treachery "next dimension."

This kind of information might give Russia opportunities for blackmail, and, indeed, might be quite valuable for that reason.

Wow, I think that could be a real possibility.

As a military doctor, Henry probably had access to a significant number of military medical records based on current cases, past cases, and perhaps the ability to query medical records of say, the hospital at large as a staff doctor.

Yet..... Henry provided the medical records of between say, 5-6 people and then advised the undercover agent how to "exploit" the records.

Likewise, as the duo appeared not to be motivated by cash, the possibility of offering a small sample of records as a "teaser"- then increasing the cost for future "real deal" sales is reduced.

So.... as you observed, the records seem to have been selected. If so.....why were those particular records selected?

 

[RickshawFan]

I thought big money was exactly why they agreed to spy.

But: I was wrong. Apparently, double agents are not paid well.

Counterintelligence agents for the Western powers told us what China and Russia pay their double-agents

It turns out that spies are cheap. You can buy a traitor for the price of a car. One spy recently uncovered inside NATO cost China only 17,000 euros.

www.businessinsider.com

The reason I was wrong is because I remembered Russia TV's "talking heads". Some of them are from LGBTQ community, some, ethnic minorities. They agree to spew dangerous lies on TV; Ukraine considers them war criminals. Russian opposition leader Navalny, now imprisoned, once made a movie about their cost. Astronomically high. So I assumed this couple was, too, swayed by money. Apparently, not. Now, I don't even know.

That is very interesting, and not on my radar until you put it there!

IMO these two would get killed or exiled going to Russia, if not officially, by street bullies. And willingness to die for their fantasies, well, that’s IMO asking for it in this context.
They seem to have, like, no qualities that would keep them safe as exiles.

I wonder, if the kids are old enough (e.g. teens), what they think?

 

[RickshawFan]

I thought big money was exactly why they agreed to spy.

But: I was wrong. Apparently, double agents are not paid well.

Counterintelligence agents for the Western powers told us what China and Russia pay their double-agents

It turns out that spies are cheap. You can buy a traitor for the price of a car. One spy recently uncovered inside NATO cost China only 17,000 euros.

www.businessinsider.com

The reason I was wrong is because I remembered Russia TV's "talking heads". Some of them are from LGBTQ community, some, ethnic minorities. They agree to spew dangerous lies on TV; Ukraine considers them war criminals. Russian opposition leader Navalny, now imprisoned, once made a movie about their cost. Astronomically high. So I assumed this couple was, too, swayed by money. Apparently, not. Now, I don't even know.

I guess spies are small potatoes, but…

Wow, our sleuthing skills could get us big bucks from a certain source: the Department of Homeland Security.

Rewards For Justice – Stop a Terrorist and Save Lives

rewardsforjustice.net

 

[RickshawFan]

Getting on a soap box....

The couple apparently offered to help the Russians with very low grade materials. They were then duly arrested for it. But... the agents did not appear to try to get the couple to severely hang themselves:

"This stuff is interesting, but can you try to material on US would respond to a biological attack? Where would the President be moved to during a super lethal biological outbreak? Is the advertised WV bunker outdated?".

Instead the agents seem to have shut the couple down fast. This is in contrast to other investigations of dimwitted, but loud talking right wing militia guys, leftwing eco dudes 'n dudettes, and wanna'be Al Queda "made" members.

In several cases, the defense attorneys claim that law enforcement artificially amplified the intent of the dimwits that led to far longer sentences:

Don't have weapons at the right wing protest"? I got some cool weapons here for show and tell- take a look at them." ( I"ll take photos). -or- Super gluing the locks on the lumber company? Lame, so lame. How about.. blow'in a dam? -or- "Gotta cross state lines to get at the mega macho bombs and missiles for the ultimate Jihad"

In the end, undercover techniques need to be consistent for all plotters. Getting off my soap box now.

But this couple also has HIPAA violations, which are governed by different laws than these other examples. No brainer to shut them down on HIPAA violations before they've used any more tax payer resources staking them out.

 

[RickshawFan]

Wow, I think that could be a real possibility.

As a military doctor, Henry probably had access to a significant number of military medical records based on current cases, past cases, and perhaps the ability to query medical records of say, the hospital at large as a staff doctor.

Yet..... Henry provided the medical records of between say, 5-6 people and then advised the undercover agent how to "exploit" the records.

Likewise, as the duo appeared not to be motivated by cash, the possibility of offering a small sample of records as a "teaser"- then increasing the cost for future "real deal" sales is reduced.

So.... as you observed, the records seem to have been selected. If so.....why were those particular records selected?

One was the "wife of a Naval Intelligence Officer".

But the others.... several seem to be veterans, so they wouldn't be on active duty. I'm not sure what kind of blackmail would get you anywhere with someone who's not on active duty....

IMO the only thing Russians would care about is sex. That's their priority kompromat. I don't think it could be extra-marital....I mean, that wouldn't be in someone's medical records. And I doubt a Viagra prescription would be super noteworthy, enough to stake your life on. So, I'm thinking hormone treatments or something like that.
I suppose another helpful piece of information might be cognitive dysfunction or maybe substance abuse. But half the veteran population would it into those categories! What would be the point of selective records?
SEX. It's gotta be about sex. IMO.

 

[Charlot123]

I thought I'd seen every possible kookie angle, but..... they actually read up about how to be a Soviet spy!!! like some kind of research project [Too bad WS no longer has that emoji of actual rolling around on floor laughing].

An Army major's wife had them read up on how to be a Soviet spy so they could leak sensitive US military medical info to Russia, prosecutors say

In a federal indictment, prosecutors allege that Dr. Anna Gabriellian told her partner to read "Inside the Aquarium," a book on Soviet espionage.

www.businessinsider.com

This is odd. While "Aquarium" by Victor Suvorov is not bad prose, training to be a spy by it is the same as getting prepared by James Bond novels. Millennials, what can one expect?

 

[worm]

I thought I'd seen every possible kookie angle, but..... they actually read up about how to be a Soviet spy!!! like some kind of research project [Too bad WS no longer has that emoji of actual rolling around on floor laughing].

An Army major's wife had them read up on how to be a Soviet spy so they could leak sensitive US military medical info to Russia, prosecutors say

In a federal indictment, prosecutors allege that Dr. Anna Gabriellian told her partner to read "Inside the Aquarium," a book on Soviet espionage.

www.businessinsider.com

I’ve been lost for years on why killers find “Catcher In The Rye” so necessary. I jumped thru hoops to read it because it was banned but never seen a connection to murder.

 

[RickshawFan]

This is odd. While "Aquarium" by Victor Suvorov is not bad prose, training to be a spy by it is the same as getting prepared by James Bond novels. Millennials, what can one expect?

I figured she learned her cloak and dagger spy technique from "Harriet the Spy" kids' books.

 

[RickshawFan]

I’ve been lost for years on why killers find “Catcher In The Rye” so necessary. I jumped thru hoops to read it because it was banned but never seen a connection to murder.

I couldn't get past the first sentence of Catcher in the Rye. Had no idea what it was talking about. However, if I really wanted to be a spy, what would I read? I haven't ever gone there in my fantasy life.
But I'd never jump to the idea that a HIPAA violation would be a route to spy-dom. I mean, the FBI could catch up to you and charge you with a HIPAA violation before the spy thing even got started..... So, then you've lost your ENTIRE career with no upside whatever. And combined with the conspiracy and wanting to collaborate with an enemy....well, that might just get me in prison, and so far I haven't even received a dollar for my efforts....

Maybe JLH and AG watched too much "Get Smart" and didn’t realize it was a spy spoof, and considering themselves to be Smarts R Us (MD diplomas as proof of genius) thought "Get Smarter" was well within reach, namely in patient files and a vacation for her kids in Turkey. AG thought of everything… she even anticipated the idea she could get separated from her kids via some bizarre hostage fantasy, not realizing she could be, yes, a hostage in prison for a number of years.

They’d better plead guilty, ‘cos this isn’t gonna go over well with a jury, or a judge at sentencing time if they don’t cop a plea, for that matter. Can you imagine the scorn?

 

[RickshawFan]

Criminal penalty for knowing HIPAA violation with gain to perpetrator, prosecuted federally, is up to 10 years. Fines could be huge as well.

Case examples coming up….

Des Moines Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Criminal HIPAA Violations

Des Moines, Iowa – A Des Moines man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison following his pleas of guilty to two counts of a federal indictment charging conspiracy to wrongfully obtain and disclose individually identifiable health information, and wrongfully obtaining individually...

www.justice.gov

Discussion and examples:

Opinion: Criminal prosecution for violating HIPAA: an emerging threat to health care professionals

Ignorance of HIPAA does not limit an individual's liability when breaking the law.

news.yahoo.com

 

[RickshawFan]

Man, spies everywhere…..

Woman who allegedly helped arrange migrant flights to Martha's Vineyard identified by CNN as former Army counterintelligence agent Perla Huerta | CNN

"Perla," the woman who allegedly helped arrange migrant flights from Texas to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, has been identified by CNN as Perla Huerta, who served as a counterintelligence agent and combat medic specialist in the US Army until August.

www.cnn.com

 

[JerseyGirl]

Maryland doctor, spouse accused of trying to spy for Russians granted trial delay

A judge has delayed the trial of a Maryland doctor and her spouse who are accused of trying to leak medical records to aid the Russian war effort in Ukraine.

katv.com

Judge Stephanie Gallagher granted the government's request for more time in an order filed Monday. A trial is now likely to occur early next year at the earliest.

 

[sds71]

TheThe couple was arrested in September on conspiracy charges and offenses related to violating HIPAA, a federal law that protects sensitive health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.


In a superseding indictment filed earlier this month, prosecutors allege Dr. Henry gave the informant medical notes on at least five people and prescription information from another.

Prosecutors say the two wanted to show their value to Russia. The meetings with the undercover agent are all on camera.

Jury seated in trial of Maryland doctors accused of giving Russia private medical records

A jury has now been seated in the federal trial in Baltimore for an Army physician and her anesthesiologist wife who are accused of conspiring to give Russia medical information to help its invasion of Ukraine.

www.cbsnews.com