The Justice Department has charged a former prosecutor with stealing records related to the special counsel investigation of Donald J. Trump’s mishandling of classified documents.
In a nine-page grand jury indictment, the department accused Carmen Lineberger, the former managing assistant U.S. attorney in Fort Pierce, Fla., where Mr. Trump’s classified documents case was handled, of defying a Jan. 21, 2025, order by Judge Aileen M. Cannon sealing a potentially damning final report by Jack Smith, the special counsel.
The indictment provided another twist in a politically freighted case that appeared to have ended after Judge Cannon dismissed the charges, and after federal prosecutors dropped their bid to reinstate them as Mr. Trump headed back to the White House. It comes as the president has tightened his grip on the Justice Department, in part by going after department employees who worked with Mr. Smith’s office.
The Justice Department charged Ms. Lineberger with four counts, including two counts of theft of government property; destruction, alteration or falsification of records in federal investigations; and concealment, removal or mutilation of public records.
In the indictment, prosecutors said Ms. Lineberger emailed an internal memorandum and a report — an apparent reference to the report by Mr. Smith — to a personal address, concealing the names of the files by labeling them as “chocolate cake recipe” and “bundt cake recipe.” The emails were sent in September and December of last year.
In a statement, the Justice Department said Ms. Lineberger was arraigned in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday. If convicted of the most serious charge — destruction, alteration or falsification of records in federal investigations — she would face up to 20 years in prison.
Seamus Hughes contributed reporting.
Chris Cameron is a Times reporter covering Washington, focusing on breaking news and the Trump administration.
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