A high-profile CBS reporter who investigated the Hunter Biden laptop scandal before being fired last week has had his personal files seized by the network in an “unprecedented” move, sources told the Post Thursday.
Katherine Herridge, a party to a First Amendment lawsuit that has been watched closely by journalists across the country, is the victim of 20 CBS News staffers as part of a large-scale purge of hundreds of employees at parent company Paramount Global. I was fired soon after.
Her firing stunned colleagues, but insiders say the network’s decision to keep her work laptop, which may contain personal materials and other sensitive information, The incident reportedly upset many staff members.
“This is very unusual,” a person familiar with the matter told the Post, adding that the files, now believed to be in the possession of CBS News, include records from Mr. Herridge’s time at both Fox and CBS. It was pointed out that there was a high possibility that it contained confidential material.
Officials said the network boxed up all of Herridge’s personal belongings except for her notes and files, and informed her that the network would decide what would be returned.
“They never seize documents.” [when you’re let go]” said another source close to the network. “They want to know what harmful documents she has.”
A CBS spokesperson refuted claims that CBS plans to keep any classified information belonging to Herridge.
“We respected her request not to view her files, and due to concerns about confidential sources, the office she occupied has remained secure since her departure,” a representative told the Post. told.
“We are ready to immediately pack up the remaining files on her behalf. Her representative will also be present if she wishes.”
Officials said the network’s actions could affect Herridge’s First Amendment case because Herridge’s documents may include privileged conversations with lawyers and the identities of sources. There was a concern that it might give.
Herridge is accused of failing to comply with U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper’s order to reveal how he learned of a federal investigation into a Chinese-American scientist who ran a graduate program in Virginia. is bathed in
The journalist could soon be held in contempt of court for failing to reveal the sources of an investigative article he wrote in 2017 while working for Fox News.
She could be ordered to personally pay fines, which could reach up to $5,000 per day.
Officials said there were concerns that CBS could be subpoenaed to reveal the identities of its sources, which could threaten press freedom principles.
“This is a company that only plays checkers. They don’t play chess,” a second source said. “They don’t understand the impact of their actions.”
Mr. Herridge did not respond to requests for comment.
The newspaper contacted Fox to say it was paying Mr. Herridge’s legal fees and asked for comment about the concerns raised by the foreclosure.
The network, which is owned by the Post’s sister company, did not respond.
Herridge has faced obstacles from higher-ups over her coverage of Hunter Biden and has also clashed with CBS News President Ingrid Cyprian Matthews. He is a bitter executive who was released after being investigated in 2021 for favoritism and discriminatory hiring and management practices. The Post previously reported.
A second source speculated that the network believes there is information in Mr. Herridge’s file that could lead to a wrongful termination lawsuit.
Jonathan Turley — a legal scholar and former CBS legal analyst who first broke the news that Mr. Herridge’s documents had been seized. The Hill Opinion Article — said the timing of the journalist’s firing raised suspicions.
“She pursued stories that were not welcomed by the Biden White House or many leading Democrats, including the Herr report on Joe Biden’s declining mental capacity, the Biden corruption scandal, and Hunter Biden’s laptop.” Turley wrote.
Under normal circumstances, journalists would have the right to obtain the memo and release the file if necessary in future litigation, but leaving classified documents in the hands of anonymous CBS employees is a violation of Herridge’s many other confidential sources of information at risk.
Her file may also include personal and family medical records, potentially violating HIPAA laws.
Turley said CBS’ “high-handed approach” to the file was “just wrong” and that CBS “sent an appalling signal to the network’s ranks.”
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing CBS employees, is concerned about CBS’ move and how it could affect its journalistic practices and source confidentiality, according to people familiar with the matter. He said he is “concerned” about this.
A representative for SAG-AFTRA did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but told Turley: That is a serious concern. We are considering all options. ”
