A prosecutor has been charged with stealing a sealed court document related to the criminal case against former President Donald Trump. The Justice Department accused Carmen Lineberger of emailing the sensitive records to a personal account.
Lineberger was a member of the prosecution team handling the documents case led by Special Counsel Jack Smith. The charges allege she removed a sealed court filing from a secure government system without authorization.
The stolen report contained confidential legal arguments and evidence related to the investigation. Authorities say Lineberger forwarded the material to a personal email address in direct violation of department policy.
The incident has raised concerns about security protocols within high-profile federal investigations. The Justice Department has not disclosed how the breach was detected or what specific records were compromised.
Lineberger now faces federal charges of theft of government property and unauthorized removal of classified documents. She has not yet entered a plea, and her attorney has declined to comment on the allegations.
The case represents a significant breach within the ongoing Trump documents investigation. It also highlights the Justice Department’s commitment to enforcing security measures among its own personnel.
Legal experts note that the charges could complicate the broader prosecution, as the defense may challenge the integrity of the investigation. Court proceedings are expected to focus on the scope of the leaked material and any potential harm to the case.
