By Steve Neavling
The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into an alleged hack of internal Fox News video footage of former host Tucker Carlson that was leaked to media organizations.
In a letter to Fox News, obtained by CNN, U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Trezevant said the Justice Department “presently views Fox Corporation as one of the potential victim-witnesses of the alleged criminal conduct under investigation.”
“This letter is to advise you that the United States is investigating allegations of criminal wrongdoing involving intentional unauthorized access of a computer … intentional interception and disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communication … conspiracy … and other federal criminal statutes,” Handberg and Trezevant wrote.
The investigation is linked to a search conducted by the FBI at the home of media consultant and social media personality Tim Burke, whose wife is a Tampa Bay councilwoman.
Media Matters and Vice published behind-the-scenes video of Carlson making crude and offensive comments about women.
Media Matters defended posting the videos, saying it was “reporting on newsworthy leaked material,” which is a “cornerstone of journalism.”
In early May, Fox News sent a cease-and-desist letter to Media Matters, saying the “unaired footage” was “unlawfully obtained.”
