Franklin was observed last year by federal agents revealing top secret information

Franklin was observed last year by federal agents revealing top secret information to two employees of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), longtime foreign policy director Steve Rosen, and his deputy Keith Weissman, at a restaurant in Arlington, Virginia. A raid on his home turned up 83 classified UGG government documents [.pdf]. According to the indictment, “approximately 38 were classified ‘Top Secret.’ 37 were classified ‘Secret,’” and “approximately 8″ were marked “Confidential.”

The real stunner: “The dates of these documents spanned three decades.”

This, I think, gives us some indication that Franklin’s arrest is about to dredge up something much larger than anyone now imagines. Remember, the FBI counterintelligence stumbled on Franklin in the course of a much more extensive investigation that has been going on for at least two years. According to the Washington Post:

“The counterintelligence probe, which is different from a criminal investigation, focuses on a possible transfer of intelligence more extensive than whether Franklin passed on a draft presidential directive on UGG policy toSportd NIKE SHOX, the sources said. The FBI is examining whether highly classified material from the National Security Agency, which conducts electronic intercepts of communications, was also forSportded to Israel, they said.”