Law Firm Hacked Sealed Documents Accessed Says Report
In a dramatic and concerning twist, a hacker reportedly gained unauthorized access to confidential documents related to the investigation of former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who is President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General.
According to sources and an email obtained by NBC News, the breach included sworn depositions of two women central to the allegations against Gaetz, including one who claimed she had a sexual relationship with him when she was 17 years old in 2017.
The file, which was accessed and downloaded by someone using the alias “Altam Beezley,” contained unredacted testimony from the alleged victim and a second woman who claimed to have witnessed the encounter.
The trove also reportedly included other sealed documentation tied to the case, amounting to hundreds of pages of potentially damaging information. The breach raises serious questions about data security and the ongoing fallout from a high-profile case that has already captured national attention.
Attorney John Clune, who represents the woman alleging the illicit relationship, confirmed the breach, stating, “We were informed last night by another law firm that an unauthorized user accessed a shared file with a number of confidential documents.”
He did not elaborate on how the breach occurred or what steps might be taken to mitigate the damage.
The Justice Department’s investigation into Gaetz initially centered on allegations of sex trafficking involving the 17-year-old, though Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not faced criminal charges. The investigation appeared to conclude last week when Gaetz resigned from Congress, paving the way for his nomination as Attorney General.
Law enforcement has not yet announced whether an investigation into the breach is underway, nor has any of the hacked material been made public at this time.
The sensitive nature of the files and the allegations they contain, however, suggest that their exposure could have profound implications for both Gaetz and the incoming administration.