FBI Director Kash Patel walks following a Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on U.S. President Donald Trump's FY2027 budget request for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the United States Marshals Service; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
(Washington, DC) – The Justice Department has charged former Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger with theft of government records.
According to prosecutors, Lineberger allegedly concealed sensitive records by saving electronic copies under misleading file names before sending them to personal email accounts.
The case is especially striking because Lineberger previously worked inside the federal justice system, where handling government records is subject to strict rules.
Federal officials say the charges are part of a broader effort to hold government employees accountable when they mishandle or remove official materials.
Lineberger is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, but the indictment is already drawing attention because of her former position and the nature of the alleged conduct.
