Pentagon Discloses Fired General's Polygraph Results

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia after he failed polygraph examinations, according to a Pentagon official. The official also accused Sylvia of leaking classified information about Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The disclosure of Sylvia's polygraph results and alleged misconduct has raised concerns among attorneys, who say it may violate the Privacy Act of 1974. This law generally prohibits federal agencies from releasing personal information without consent or legal authorization.

Polygraph results, which are typically kept in personnel security records, are protected under the Privacy Act. The official's statement included details about a pending counterintelligence investigation and a referral to the Department of Justice, which attorneys argue could also be protected information.

Sylvia, a three-star general with multiple military honors, was removed from his position as director of strategy, plans and policy for the Joint Staff. The Pentagon did not respond to CBS News inquiries about the details of the official's statement or the Privacy Act allegations.

Some sources confirmed the firing was related to the polygraph tests but disputed the claims of leaking classified information. Meanwhile, internal reports suggest Sylvia admitted to leaking classified information about Ukraine and Iran to two reporters over a year, though CBS News has not verified these claims.

The Pentagon's initial statement included specific allegations against Sylvia, but a subsequent statement from chief spokesperson Sean Parnell did not name the general or repeat the accusations. Parnell's statement also introduced the detail that Sylvia's firing followed an 'extensive investigation' by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.