NCIS agent had relationship with Syrian businessman, gave him classified info, feds say

A former special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service had an inappropriate relationship with a Syrian businessman to whom she gave classified information while working in Dubai, according to the Department of Justice.

The 48-year-old agent, Leatrice Malika DeBruhl-Daniels, accepted gifts from the man, including an expensive birthday party for her thrown at his house, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. In turn, she’s accused of telling him that he was the target of an FBI counterterrorism investigation and warning him that if he went to the U.S. he would likely be arrested.

She also accepted $1,400 in cash from him, feds say, as well as a promise that he would get her son a job with his company.

After a six-day trial, a jury in Houston found DeBruhl-Daniels guilty on June 13 of four counts of obstruction, six counts of false statements, one count of false statement with terrorism enhancement and one count of bribery.

An attorney for DeBruhl-Daniels could not be found.

When she met the man — 49-year-old Nadal Diya — he was looking for help getting a visa to the United States while being investigated by the U.S. government, the release says.

Federal agents said they questioned DeBruhl-Daniels in December 2017 about Diya, but she failed to disclose her relationship with him.

After agents questioned DeBruhl-Daniels, she met with Diya and coached him on what to say in an interview.