Prosecutor Is Charged With Stealing Sealed Report on Trump Documents Case
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The Justice Department has charged Carmen Lineberger, a former assistant U.S. attorney, with stealing and concealing records related to the special counsel investigation into Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents by emailing sealed reports to a personal address under misleading file names.
- Lineberger allegedly defied a court order sealing the final report by special counsel Jack Smith and faces felony charges including destruction or falsification of records, theft of government property, and concealment of public records, carrying up to 20 years in prison.
- This prosecution adds complexity to the politically charged case, occurring amid President Trump’s increasing influence over the Justice Department, which has dismissed numerous prosecutors involved in cases against Trump and his allies.
- The sealed final report by Jack Smith remains a key piece of evidence, with ongoing legal battles over its public release; the investigation into Lineberger is being led by a special prosecutor appointed to avoid conflicts of interest.