A hacker reportedly accessed a confidential file on Monday that contained sworn depositions from two women linked to the investigation of former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz. One of the women alleges that she had a sexual encounter with Gaetz when she was 17 in 2017, while the second woman claims to have witnessed the incident. The file, which was said to be completely unredacted, has raised significant concerns regarding privacy and security.
Attorney John Clune, who represents the accuser, confirmed the breach, stating that they were notified by a different law firm about the unauthorized access to a shared file containing sensitive documents. Gaetz has faced an investigation by the Justice Department related to allegations of sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old, but he has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not faced criminal charges. The inquiry effectively concluded last week following Gaetz’s resignation from Congress, after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for a position as Attorney General.
The hacker, operating under the pseudonym Altam Breezley, managed to download the file from a secure link, accessing hundreds of pages of documentation, some of which remain under seal. While the contents are described as thorough and potentially damaging to Gaetz, it is currently unclear whether any of the leaked information has been made public or if law enforcement is looking into the breach. A representative for Gaetz has yet to provide a response to these developments.
This incident highlights the ongoing issues surrounding cybersecurity and the protection of sensitive legal information. The attention brought by the hacking could prompt further scrutiny of the allegations made against Gaetz, potentially leading to renewed public discourse on the accountability of public figures.
In summary, the unauthorized access to confidential testimony related to serious allegations raises critical questions about the protection of private information in legal matters. While Gaetz has denied the claims against him, the developments in this case underline the importance of safeguarding sensitive information in our digital age.