Writing About Killing Bin Laden Just Cost One Ex-SEAL a Fortune

A former Navy SEAL who wrote about taking part in the mission that killed Osama bin Laden will have to pay all current and future profits from the book—and possible movie rights—to the government, the AP reports. It's an amount already exceeding $6.6 million. In addition, Matt Bissonnette, who wrote No Easy Day under a pseudonym in 2012, will have to pay the government $1.3 million to cover its legal fees, according to ABC News. Bissonnette was in trouble for violating non-disclosure agreements he signed when he was a Navy SEAL and not clearing the book with the Defense Department before publishing it. Bissonnette signed the settlement Friday.

As part of the settlement, Bissonnette agreed to make a formal apology. "I acted on the advice of my former attorney, but I now fully recognize that his advice was wrong," NPR quotes Bissonnette as saying. "It was a serious error that I urge others not to repeat." In return, the government dismissed other claims against Bissonnette. It also stated what happened "does not discredit Mr. Bissonnette's military service." Bissonnette has four years to pay off most of the more than $6.6 million he currently owes the government. But he only has 30 days to pay the government $100,000 he made giving presentations on his experiences. (More Matt Bissonnette stories.)