US scientist pleads guilty to attempted espionage

A former US government space scientist pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of attempted espionage for trying to sell classified information to an undercover FBI agent posing as an Israeli spy.

Stewart David Nozette entered the plea in federal court, where both the Justice Department and Nozette's lawyers agreed to a sentence of 13 years in prison, with credit for two years he has already spent behind bars. US District Judge Paul Friedman said he was prepared to accept the deal, pending Nozette's cooperation with prosecutors, a procedure expected to last into November. (AP)