By Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube, NBC News
AP
This book cover image released by Dutton shows "No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama Bin Laden," by Mark Owen with Kevin Maurer.
The former Navy SEAL who just wrote a book about the Osama bin Laden raid is in violation of the non-disclosure agreements he signed, the Department of Defense General Counsel said Thursday.
General Counsel Jeh Johnson wrote in a letter to "Mark Owen," the author’s pen name, that by selling his book he aggravates the violation.
The department is considering pursuing charges against him and "all those acting in concert with you."
The letter, sent via the attorney at Penguin Putnam publishing, explains that Owen signed two separate non-disclosure agreements on Jan. 24, 2007, and that he has an obligation to "never divulge" classified information.
Read the Department of Defense letter
"This commitment remains in force even after you left the active duty Navy," it says.
He also signed a "Sensitive Compartmented Information Debriefing Memorandum" when he left the Navy around April 20, 2012, according to the letter.
"No Easy Day," written by a former Navy SEAL who helped take down Osama bin Laden, claims the al-Qaida leader did not defend himself during the raid. The book will become available on Sept. 4, earlier than the anticipated Sept. 11 release date. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.
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"The Department of Defense has obtained and reviewed an advanced copy of the book," the letter says, adding, "In the judgment of the Department of Defense, you are in material breach and violation of the non-disclosure agreements you signed."
"Further public dissemination of your book will aggravate your breach and violation of your agreements."
"The Department is considering pursuing against, and all those acting in concert with you, all remedies legally available to us in light of this situation."
Related: Ex-Navy SEAL: Book on bin Laden raid about 9/11, not politics
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