The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a $200,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Monica Witt, a former American counterintelligence official accused of defecting to Iran and passing classified information to the Iranian regime.

The FBI’s Washington Field Office announced that Witt was charged in 2019 with multiple espionage-related offenses tied to allegations that she provided sensitive U.S. national defense material to Iran.

Witt previously served with the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations as both an intelligence specialist and special agent from 1997 through 2008. After leaving active duty, she continued working as a government contractor until 2010.

Federal authorities say those roles gave her access to highly classified intelligence at the SECRET and TOP SECRET levels, including information involving covert American intelligence operatives.

According to investigators, Witt defected to Iran in 2013 and later assisted Iranian intelligence efforts by supplying information that jeopardized U.S. personnel and intelligence activities overseas. Authorities further allege that she helped the Iranian regime identify and investigate former American colleagues.

The FBI said Witt’s alleged activities aided Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, which the United States classifies as a terrorist organization. Officials described the case as an ongoing threat to national security interests.

“Monica Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution,” said Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division.

The bureau believes Witt may still be residing in Iran. Investigators said she speaks fluent Farsi and may also use the aliases “Fatemah Zahra” and “Narges Witt.”

{Matzav.com}