Discussion»Questions»Politics» If you've been CONVICTED of mishandling classified material, can you ever be cleared to receive classified material again??
On the severity of the mishandling. On the embarrassment the mishandling has caused. On the seniority of the people who might be criticised if responsibility for the mishandling could be placed at their door. How high the culprit stands in the eyes of any organisation with an interest in avoiding culpability. And finally, if any decent scapegoat can be found (though in certain circumstances a scapegoat that is not decent can be acceptable).
Then it's highly likely that my second and third points will apply. You know how that works. If you're on welfare you're a leech, but if you're a huge worldwide business getting state money for free you're 'working closely' with government.
It's similar to the reason spotty kids who have embarrassed the state, when caught, are usually employed by the state. They have value to people of importance and that supersedes any quaint idea of people getting what they deserve.
Benedict Arnold 