Update: Anti-Disclosure Defense Lobbyist May Have Links to KONA BLUE
Before diving into the latest developments, here’s some background. In 2024, a lobbyist from a leading global law firm circulated a newsletter warning defense contractors about the UFO Disclosure Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). She urged a proactive strategy to thwart the legislation in its original form. This is significant for a few reasons: this law firm represents top corporations across various sectors, and the lobbyist, Stephanie Barna, is closely associated with ATI, a company that facilitates billions in research projects related to defense contractors, academia, and government agencies. Notably, Barna also served as legal counsel for the committee responsible for approving the NDAA in the Senate. During her tenure as the Armed Services Lawyer, she received briefings from Eric Davis and others regarding the legacy CR Program, which I previously covered in an article.
In my previous update, I mentioned that I uncovered records showing the firm has frequently represented several defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and SAIC, who are often linked to these programs. Additionally, I pointed out that Barna’s fellow defense lobbyist also chairs the NRC, overseeing nuclear technology and related facilities. There’s also a financial link between Barnas’s main lobbying client, ATI, and Sancorp, a company that specializes in thwarting whistleblowers—ironically, they hold a $4 million contract with AARO while seeking whistleblower testimony.
New Update: Barna is a member of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), an organization comprising nearly 1,000 former government officials that advises federal, state, and local governments on policy implementation. Two prominent members, Rafael Borras, former DHS Undersecretary for Management, and Jane Lute, former Deputy Secretary at DHS, served on the Special Access Program Oversight Committee and attended briefings on the KONA BLUE program.
KONA BLUE was a Special Access Program initiated by key Senate leaders, including the Majority Leader and Chairs of the Budget and Homeland Security Committees, as well as the AAWSAP team. Its objective was to facilitate transparency around the UFO program, inventory crashed UFOs, and create a research plan under formal congressional oversight.
There may be another connection to KONA BLUE. From 2010-2012, Cedric Sims was appointed by Rafael Borras to
It’s fascinating to see the intricate web of connections surrounding the UFO Disclosure Act and the individuals involved. The deeper you delve into the relationships between defense contractors, lobbying efforts, and government oversight, the more complex the narrative becomes.
The ties between Stephanie Barnas, the legal landscape she navigates, and her affiliations with influential organizations certainly raise eyebrows, especially in light of her proactive stance against the disclosure efforts. The involvement of figures like Rafael Borras and Cedric Sims further complicates the picture, suggesting a network that could be both influential and resistant to transparency in UFO-related matters.
It’s intriguing to consider the implications of these connections. If Barnas is indeed collaborating with individuals who have direct knowledge of the KONA BLUE program, it raises critical questions about the motivations behind her lobbying work. Are they genuinely concerned about national security and protecting sensitive information, or is there a more self-serving interest in maintaining the status quo?
The potential for conflicts of interest in such high-stakes environments is significant, and your investigative approach to mapping these relationships adds a layer of accountability to the conversation. As public interest in UFOs and government transparency grows, it’s essential to keep questioning and shining a light on these connections. Your thorough research invites us to consider the broader implications and to remain vigilant regarding disclosure efforts. Keep up the great work!