FBI probes claim that hacker broke into CIA director’s private e-mail

The FBI is investigating claims by an anonymous computer hacker that he stole potentially sensitive files from the private e-mail account of CIA Director John Brennan and posted them online. The exposed documents appear to include a roster of senior US national security officials with their phone and Social Security numbers, a log of calls made by former CIA deputy director Avril Haines and a list of e-mail addresses that the hacker claimed were taken from Brennan’s AOL account.

A CIA spokesman said, “We are aware of the reports that have surfaced on social media and have referred the matter to the appropriate authorities.” Other US officials said that the FBI had launched an inquiry and that the Secret Service was investigating related claims that the hacker obtained private information from Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. The potential breaches are likely to intensify security concerns over senior government officials’ use of private e-mail and Internet accounts.