Dec 20, 2018

James Wolfe sentenced to two months in prison after lying to FBI

James Wolfe. Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images

James Wolfe, a former senate staffer for the Senate Intelligence Committee, has been sentenced to two months in prison after lying to federal investigators about leaking information to the media, BuzzFeed News reports.

Why it matters: Wolfe's case was the first instance of President Trump's administration using data seized from a reporter to pinpoint a leaker of confidential information.

Details: Wolfe leaked information to four reporters and lied about his communications with them.

Federal investigators seized communications from reporter Ali Watkins, with whom from Wolfe had a "personal" relationship. Investigators didn't notify Watkins until they obtained the necessary information.

The backdrop: Wolfe faced a recommended sentence of anywhere between zero to six months in prison, but prosecutors pushed for more, BuzzFeed News reports.

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