Analyst in Pentagon spy probe gets probation

updated 5:49 p.m. ET June 12, 2009

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A judge dramatically reduced the sentence for a former Pentagon analyst who pleaded guilty to leaking classified information to an Israeli diplomat and two pro-Israel lobbyists.

Lawrence A. Franklin of Kearneysville, W.Va., had been sentenced in 2006 to more than 12 years in prison. But on Thursday a judge cut the sentence to probation plus 10 months in home confinement.

Prosecutors had agreed his sentence should be cut but still wanted him to serve more than nine years in prison.

The reduction follows the government's decision not to prosecute the two lobbyists to whom Franklin leaked information. Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman had worked for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

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