A hacker gained unauthorized access on Monday to confidential sworn depositions related to an investigation involving Matt Gaetz, the former House member from Florida. This incident was confirmed by a source familiar with the situation and an email obtained by NBC News.
The compromised file reportedly contains the testimony of a woman who claims she engaged in a sexual relationship with Gaetz when she was 17 years old in 2017, alongside a second woman who stated she witnessed that encounter. According to attorney John Clune, who represents the woman making the allegation, they were alerted by another law firm about the breach involving a shared file containing confidential documents.
The Justice Department had previously looked into Gaetz over allegations of sex trafficking concerning a 17-year-old, an inquiry that came to a halt last week when he resigned from Congress after being nominated by Donald Trump to lead the Justice Department. Gaetz has consistently denied these allegations and has not faced any criminal charges.
The hacker, using the alias Altam Beezley, reportedly accessed a secure file linked to the case and downloaded hundreds of pages of documents, including additional related materials that are currently under seal. It remains unclear if any of the hacked information has been publicly released or if law enforcement is investigating the breach. A representative for Gaetz has yet to respond to requests for comments.
The file is described as very detailed and potentially damaging to Gaetz, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny he faces.
This situation underscores the challenges of maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive legal documents in the digital age, as well as the importance of cybersecurity in protecting personal and confidential information.
Looking forward, it is hoped that this incident will ultimately lead to a greater emphasis on data protection protocols and the responsible handling of sensitive information to prevent similar breaches in the future.