A man accused of collecting intelligence for Saddam Hussein's regime during the 1990s was indicted on charges of failing to register as an agent of a foreign government, authorities said Wednesday.
William Shaoul Benjamin, 64, of Los Angeles also faces charges of making false statements and conspiracy, according to the FBI.
Benjamin allegedly worked with the Iraqi Intelligence Service between 1993 and 2001, the FBI said. He was arrested Sept. 14. On Monday, he pleaded not guilty and was released on $500,000 bond.
A call to Benjamin's attorney, James Blatt, was not immediately returned.
Codenamed "9211," Benjamin allegedly worked with the Iraqi Intelligence Service between 1993 and 2001, infiltrating groups and organizations considered hostile to Saddam's government and relaying information to his Iraqi handlers. Prosecutors refused to say which groups he allegedly monitored.
He also traveled to Iraq to train with intelligence officers, authorities said. In return, he received money, gifts and other compensation from the IIS, according to authorities.
The FBI says that he not only failed to state he was a paid source for Iraq intelligence, but also falsely declared that he had renounced allegiance to Iraq.