From the AP:
Hackers broke into the Yahoo! e-mail account that Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin used for official business as Alaska’s governor, revealing as evidence a few inconsequential personal messages she has received since John McCain selected her as his running mate.
The Secret Service contacted The Associated Press on Wednesday and asked for copies of the leaked e-mails, which circulated widely on the Internet. The AP did not comply.
Excuse me? The AP refused to turn over copies of “leaked e-mails”?
First of all, the e-mails were not “leaked”. For something to be “leaked”, it must be released by someone who has legal access or knowledge. These e-mails were stolen.
Second, the person who stole these e-mails is in violation of federal law and, by possessing stolen, not leaked, e-mails, AP may also be exposed.
Not cooperating in a federal investigation? Sounds like obstruction of justice to me.
Here is the applicable law with some bold emphasis by me:
TITLE 18–CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I–CRIMES
CHAPTER 121–STORED WIRE AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSACTIONAL
RECORDS ACCESS
Sec. 2701. Unlawful access to stored communications
(a) Offense.–Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section
whoever–
(1) intentionally accesses without authorization a facility
through which an electronic communication service is provided; or
(2) intentionally exceeds an authorization to access that
facility;and thereby obtains, alters, or prevents authorized access to a wire or
electronic communication while it is in electronic storage in such
system shall be punished as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Punishment.–The punishment for an offense under subsection (a)
of this section is–
(1) if the offense is committed for purposes of commercial
advantage, malicious destruction or damage, or private commercial
gain, or in furtherance of any criminal or tortious act in violation
of the Constitution or laws of the United States or any State–
(A) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more
than 5 years, or both, in the case of a first offense under this
subparagraph; and
(B) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more
than 10 years, or both, for any subsequent offense under this
subparagraph; and
(2) in any other case–
(A) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more
than 1 year or both, in the case of a first offense under this
paragraph; and
(B) a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more
than 5 years, or both, in the case of an offense under this
subparagraph that occurs after a conviction of another offense
under this section.
(c) Exceptions.–Subsection (a) of this section does not apply with
respect to conduct authorized–
(1) by the person or entity providing a wire or electronic
communications service;
(2) by a user of that service with respect to a communication of
or intended for that user; or
(3) in section 2703, 2704 or 2518 of this title.
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This is pure Obama style Chicago politics. He has used dirty tactics every time. Not this time. No way. Media covers up his Logan Act violation. Time for Americans to fight back.
Think so? I’m not convinced Obama is that dumb. I think this is the work of some far left loon who thinks he is clever and getting his shots in on the evil Republicans… perhaps a year in jail will give him time to make some new friends.
Chicago machine politics. Hoards of lawyers and journalists to Wasilla, untold numbers of lesser trolls in dark rooms digging up dirk, hacking personal emails, intercepting cell calls, willing mouthpieces publishing it, and the public relations staff crying ‘McSame is a liar.’ The candidate acts offended , cries ’shame’, while insinuating the lady is a pig. Barack, we see you for who you are. You are beneath contempt. The rubes in flyover country are going to kick your butt.