As likely is that whoever runs it (Assange or other) was always an ass, or they went off the rails, or was at the receiving end of a rubber hose interrogation,

As likely is that whoever runs it (Assange or other) was always an ass, or they went off the rails, or was at the receiving end of a rubber hose interrogation, or ... Really, at this point, it's hard to say for certain with all the spooks involved and the circumstances of the major players. That said, I maintain that "When Google Met Wikileaks" and "Cypherpunks" are excellent reads.