German suspect was in contact with State Dept not U.S. spies - officials

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A German defence official under investigation for alleged spying was in contact with a U.S. State Department officer rather than American intelligence agencies, raising questions about whether any espionage occurred, U.S. officials familiar with the case told Reuters on Friday.

The officials, who are knowledgeable about the details of the case, said the U.S. government believes the relationship between the German defence official and his State Department contact was a friendship.