FOIA 18-F-0324 release

• (IR= On October 12, I learned of a video featuring Mr. Elizondo that was posted
on YouTube by the "To the Stars Academy for Arts and Sciences," which appears to be
his current employer. He asserts "for nearly the last decade I ran a sensitive Aerospace
Threat Identification Program focusing on unidentified aerial technologies," and later
says "we are (also) planning to provide never before released footage from real US
government systems."
Following discovery of the YouTube video, I requested an informal review' 1of Mr. Elizondo's conduct by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI),
which is responsible for providing investigative support to the Office of the Secretary of
Defense (OSD), including investigation of assigned personnel. In late November AFOSI
advised that absent more tangible indicators of possible misconduct they did not have
enough information to open a case on Mr. Elizondo.
• (U/ On December 7, DoD was contacted by the New York Times (NYT)
seeking information regarding the AATIP and noting that Mr. Elizondo's recent
resignation was submitted "to protest what he characterized as internal opposition and
lack of resources for continued research."
• (U/M On December 15, based on information contained in the NYT inquiry, I
notified the OUSDI Security Officer that Mr. Elizondo may have misused government
systems and may intend to release USG footage or information that he obtained during
his employment with OUSD (I).
• (U= On December 17, Mr. Elizondo appeared on national news programs
providing commentary on a video that appears to be camera footage taken by a US
military aircraft showing what he claims is an unidentified flying object. In the TV
interview, Mr. Elizondo affirms his alleged role in leading the AATIP program and says
"we are not alone..."
. (U=I On December 18, OUSDI located a classified email generated by Mr.
Elizondo in August 2017, in which he requested assistance from a Navy civilian
employee to declassify one or more videos. The video attached to the email is the same
footage broadcast on national news on December 17. The email chain is incomplete, so
we have yet to determine if the video was properly declassified, what process was
followed, and how it ended up in the possession of the national media. We continue to
research these email transactions.
• (U// On December 21, I met with AFOSI agents to initiate a formal inquiry into
Mr. Elizondo's possible mishandling of classified materials.
Attachments:
As stated