Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 20
Former Prosecutor Lineberger Indicted on 4 Counts Over Jack Smith Report, Facing 25 Years
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · May 20

Former Prosecutor Lineberger Indicted on 4 Counts Over Jack Smith Report, Facing 25 Years

11 articles · Updated · POLITICO · May 20
  • A federal indictment returned Tuesday charged former prosecutor Lineberger with four counts tied to stealing unreleased government records, including a volume of Jack Smith’s report on classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.
  • The charges include one felony count each of obstruction of justice and concealing government records, plus two misdemeanor theft counts; the maximum sentence is 25 years if convicted on all charges.
  • The indictment says Lineberger tried to hide the files by labeling them “Chocolate_Cake_Recipe.pdf” and “Bundt_Cake_Recipe.pdf” before moving them to personal accounts.
  • Prosecutors did not allege a motive or detail what other materials were transferred, and Lineberger’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
  • The case is being handled by prosecutors in Northern Florida, while the report volume at issue remains barred from public release by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon.
What secrets in a sealed government report are worth a prosecutor risking 25 years in prison?
How can a simple 'cake recipe' email expose deep flaws in national security protocols?