Inquiry opens into passing of secret files

Sheriff's Chief William J. McSweeney, head of the Homeland Security office, said the department became aware of an investigation into Richards earlier this year.

McSweeney says Richards was placed on leave.

He described Richards as a respected intelligence analyst. "He is one of the top guys in the field," he said.

LAPD antiterrorism officials would not comment on Litaker but indicated that an internal inquiry was underway

"This investigation is being conducted separate and apart from our administrative inquiry, and as such I cannot comment," said Deputy Chief Michael Downing, head of the LAPD's counterterrorism and criminal intelligence bureau.

LAPD sources said Litaker is working at the Rampart Division and has been assigned to desk duty during the investigation.

The sources, who spoke on the condition that they not be named, said Litaker recently retired as a lieutenant colonel with the Marine Corps Reserve.

The investigation into Maziarz began last year when a colonel at Camp Pendleton reported that a large quantity of confiscated weapons from Iraq was missing.

Information led to Maziarz. Authorities searched his apartment and storage lockers in Carlsbad, Calif., and Virginia and allegedly found a Russian sniper rifle, gold-colored and nickel-plated AK-47s, Iraqi swords, foreign military helmets, Iraqi plaques and several classified documents.

The Washington Post reported last year that two folders containing about 250 pages of material marked "SECRET" were also discovered in one of the storage units.

Maziarz this summer was convicted of theft, wrongful possession of steroids, making a false official statement, possession of unregistered assault rifles and violations relating to the improper handling of classified materials.

A judge sentenced him to seven years in prison and a dishonorable discharge.

A pretrial agreement reduced his time to 26 months and required that he fully cooperate with the investigation.

Maziarz's final sentence will be up to the Marine general overseeing the case.

richard.winton@latimes.com

tony.perry@latimes.com

andrew.blankstein@latimes.com

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Times staff writer Greg Krikorian contributed to this report.