May 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) -- Lawyers for the two former AIPAC staffers charged four years ago with dealing in government s

Sources close to the defense said the investigation, which first came to light in 2004 when FBI agents raided AIPAC offices, appeared to be of a piece with the Bush administration policy of expanding its secrecy powers that President Obama has said he will reverse. Rosen and Weissman were the first civilians to be prosecuted under 1917 statute that criminalizes the receipt and retention of classified information.