The journalist accused of leaking videos of former Fox News star Tucker Carlson was charged Thursday with 14 federal crimes related to the media giant’s computing hack.
According to a federal indictment, Tim Burke, 45, allegedly used “compromised credentials” to hack into behind-the-scenes broadcast streams before sharing them as anonymous sources. He was active as a member of a group.
The two are said to have stored hacked clips and files on a server, where Burke’s co-conspirators said in a Twitter direct message that they could “post them on social or send them to their partners. It is the main location for all footage.
The Burke Communications founder was arrested Thursday morning and appeared in court by afternoon, with the city councilman’s wife watching and cheering him on. The Tampa Bay Times reported.
“I am convinced of my husband’s innocence and fully support him,” Lynn Hartak said in a statement.
“I will refrain from making any further comments on this matter.”
He faces certain conspiracy charges. six counts of unauthorized access to a protected computer; seven counts of interception or disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications;
The arrests come nearly a year after FBI agents searched the couple’s home and seized computers and electronic equipment that Burke used to run his media business.
Investigators sought Burke after a video of Carlson was leaked days before Carlson’s bombshell statement.
The former “Tucker Carlson Tonight” host was seen lashing out at a colleague who cited his preferred gender pronouns and made unprofessional comments to a makeup artist on set.
Mr. Carlson also made inappropriate comments about Dominion Voting Systems’ lawyers after he sat for a deposition and before Fox News settled a lawsuit with the company for $787.5 million. did.
The clip also allegedly included footage of Kanye West making anti-Semitic remarks while the cameras were rolling.
The indictment does not mention the conservative TV star or Fox News, but prosecutors say that on Oct. 6, 2022, the same day as Carlson’s interview, a stream posted a “New York City-based multinational It pointed out that it included a video featuring a host from a media company. West was aired on FOX News.
Burke and his lawyers have long denied any connection to the breach, saying instead that Burke obtained the video by following a hyperlink to a live video feed that did not require a password and was not encrypted. I have been claiming that.
“This is not hacking, this is just good investigative reporting,” attorney Michael Maddux told the Times before entering court Thursday afternoon.
“We obviously categorically deny these charges and look forward to the opportunity to defend him and prove his innocence.”
Prosecutors asked for a $30,000 bail for Burke and conditions restricting him from accessing computers or websites that require a login not issued directly to Burke, which is due to his job duties. Maddux argued that it interferes with his ability to perform.
In exchange, Mr. Burke was released on condition that he have no contact with his alleged co-conspirators.
