In all, Snowden made about $1.03 million from the speeches, with an average speaking fee of $18,000. He gave 56 paid speeches that included disclosures that breached his government secrecy agreement, according to the court filing from his lawyers in the US and the Justice Department. Snowden, who lives in Russia, had earned $4.2 million from his book sales, royalties and related rights as of this month. Bolton disputes the government’s accusations. That case is still ongoing, with a hearing set for this week. John Bolton, the former national security adviser who published a damaging book about President Donald Trump earlier this year, faces a similar attempt by the Justice Department to claw back proceeds for publishing. The case represents one of the few ways the US government has found to hold former employees accountable for unauthorized leaks. Federal prosecutors have made public a 2013 criminal complaint charging him with theft of government property and unauthorized communication of national defense and classified information. His supporters have long advocated for a pardon, and President Donald Trump recently floated it as a possibility.

He said previously he would like to return to the US if he were guaranteed a fair trial. Snowden has engaged in a political dance with US authorities for years, since his leak exposed US surveillance techniques. Snowden’s pardon suggestion on Twitter downplayed the current reality of his situation – if the court proceedings stand, Snowden would still be liable for the $5 million his lawyers said he’s gained and agreed to give up, and potentially more. “Better headline: ‘US could gain up to $5m by pardoning Edward Snowden,’” he added. B) The judgement from this censorship case is not enforceable while I am in exile, but I’ve never had that much money anyway,” he wrote on Twitter, highlighting how he may still contest his case in court or be able to block handing over his proceeds.

“A) This is not a settlement I didn’t agree to it. He tweeted his reaction to CNN’s reporting on Tuesday. The judge has not yet approved the forfeiture plan.Īnd Snowden, in the agreement, said he still wants the ability to appeal the judge’s earlier decision against him. The agreement Snowden’s legal team reached may not be the end of the dispute of his book proceeds, however. Snowden published his book “Permanent Record” last year without government approval, in violation of contracts he signed with the CIA and the National Security Agency.Ī federal judge had sided with the Justice Department in its lawsuit to claw back Snowden’s proceeds, and was considering how much he would need to pay.

Edward Snowden, the former CIA contractor who leaked intelligence secrets in 2013, has agreed to forfeit more than $5 million he earned from his book and speaking fees to the US government, according to court records.

Edward snowden permanent record