Claim · E-056
Luis Elizondo: Claims under oath that a small group within the government created a culture of repression and intimidation of which he was personally a victim, with unjustified criminal investigations, harassment and attempts to destroy his credibility.
Luis Elizondo · Nov 13, 2024 · Joint hearing of two subcommittees of the House Oversight Committee, “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth” (November 13, 2024) – opening statement (Hearing)
Under oath Direct knowledge Retaliation, threats, violence
Partly verified
An AFOSI investigation into his possible misuse of classified material did take place (December 2017–April 2018), but in the documents it is not described as criminal, no referrals to the Department of Justice are on record, and the Inspector General ruled out reprisals concerning his clearance.
- Original words
unwarranted criminal investigations, harassment, and efforts to destroy one's credibility
- In support
- On December 21, 2017, Garry Reid met with AFOSI to open a formal investigation into his possible misuse of classified material, after an informal review requested in October; in the same memorandum Reid accuses him of having exaggerated his own role.
- Against or denials
- AFOSI closed the case in April 2018, determining that the videos were not classified; in the documents the investigation is described first as an informal review and then as a formal investigation, not criminal; a 2021 search of the Defense Central Index of Investigations (DCII) returned zero results; the Inspector General (February 16, 2022) found no reprisals.
Sources
- Transcript of the hearing “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth”, House of Representatives, November 13, 2024 (primary source)
- Memorandum for Record by Garry Reid (OUSD(I)), late December 2017 – FOIA 22-F-1322, released April 2, 2024 (primary source)
- The Black Vault – the DoD Office of Inspector General releases the transcript of the interview with Elizondo, February 10, 2023 (analysis)
- DoD, FOIA 25-F-2554 – documents on Elizondo 2017–2019 (emails, letter of June 5, 2019, replies from the Navy and the press office) (primary source)
On this site
People 1
Claims 2
- Luis Elizondo: Claims that the AFOSI investigation into the release of the three videos found no unauthorized disclosure on… Partly verified
- Luis Elizondo: Claims under oath that he and many former colleagues, after giving classified testimony, were targeted with… Disputed
Inconsistencies 1
Documents 5
- Garry Reid's memorandum on AATIP and on Elizondo (December 2017) Original available
- The DoD Office of Inspector General closes Elizondo's retaliation complaint (2022) Original available
- Elizondo's written statement for the November 13, 2024 hearing Original available
- The transcript of the November 13, 2024 House hearing with Elizondo, Gallaudet, Shellenberger and Gold Original available
- The Pentagon's emails on Elizondo and AATIP (2017–2019), released in 2025 Original available
Where the claims come from 1
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