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Congressman says Pentagon pressed to omit secrets given to film makers

WASHINGTON, June 15 (UPI) -- A congressman has charged Pentagon investigators were pressured to omit details of any secrets given to people making a film about the death of Osama bin Laden.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., says political pressure appears to be the reason details were omitted about the possible disclosure of top-secret information to makers of the film "Zero Dark Thirty," The Hill reported Friday.

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A report released Friday by the Defense Department's inspector general said the Pentagon and CIA took all necessary measures to protect details about the raid.

That assertion contradicts findings by Pentagon investigators contained in a draft report by the inspector general published by The Project on Government Oversight.

"On a matter of this importance, to have a critical report being held up or interfered with is wrong," said King, who requested the report in 2011. "That to me warrants another inquiry as to why it's being held this long."

The Pentagon denied any interference in the final report.

Bridget Serchak, chief of public affairs for the Defense Department's inspector general, said the differences were the result of a "rigorous internal review process" and denied any third party reviewed the final report before its release.

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The undated draft had said Leon Panetta, the former Defense secretary and CIA chief, had revealed top-secret information during a CIA awards ceremony attended by Mark Boal, who wrote the movie.

The release of such information is prohibited.

Mention of Panetta's comments are not included in the final report.

Serchak said information about Panetta was not included because he was at the CIA at the time.

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