Scientist pleads not guilty to espionage

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A former U.S. government scientist with a top secret clearance was held without bond Friday after pleading not guilty to attempted espionage, authorities said.

Stewart David Nozette, 52, of Chevy Chase, Md., was accused of trying to deliver classified information to someone he thought was an Israeli intelligence official but who was actually an FBI undercover agent, CNN reported.

Asstistant. U.S. Attorney Anthony Asuncion said evidence will show Nozette disclosed to investigators information that was "top secret, related to our national defense, that would cause exceptionally grave damage to national security" if revealed to a foreign country.

In arguing against bond, prosecutors played what they call an undercover videotape of a conversation 10 days ago between Nozette and an agent.

Nozette is heard negotiating for a false passport and a means to get to a country with no extradition policy with the United States and suggested his wife would not accompany him, the FBI said.

Nozette had a top secret clearance and served at the White House on the National Space Council for President George H.W. Bush, an FBI affidavit said.

The document says Nozette also acted as a technical consultant from 1998 until early 2008 "for an aerospace company that was wholly owned by the government of the state of Israel."

The company reportedly consulted with Nozette monthly, getting answers to questions and he received total payments of $225,000.