DOJ files civil suit against Edward Snowden over new memoir

Snowden’s memoir, "Permanent Record,” hit bookshelves Tuesday. Snowden, who famously leaked classified documents about government surveillance, has avoided prosecution by living in Russia.

“Edward Snowden has violated an obligation he undertook to the United States when he signed agreements as part of his employment by the CIA and as an NSA contractor,” said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division.

The filing alleges that Snowden violated his non-disclosure agreements by failing to submit his manuscript to the agencies for pre-publication review, as is a standard process for former employees and contractors of the agencies.

The DOJ aims to ensure that no funds are transferred to Snowden or at his direction while the court is resolving the United States' claims. The immediate consequence could be the freezing of book revenue.