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The FBI has reportedly opened an investigation into how unaired clips featuring former prime time host Tucker Carlson were leaked to Vice and Media Matters, which recently brought about a search at the home of a media consultant and his wife a
In a letter obtained by the Tampa Bay Times on Thursday, a Tampa federal prosecutor described to Fox News the ongoing criminal investigation into computer hacks at the company.
On May 8, the home of media consultant Tim Burke and his wife, Tampa City Council member Democrat Lynn Hurtak was searched by FBI agents. The Times confirmed with two people close to the investigation that the letter relates to this search.
Assistant US Attorney Jay Trezevant wrote in the letter that Fox News should preserve information and records relating to the investigation for at least 90 days, with the government viewing the news network as “one of the potential victim-witnesses” of the alleged criminal conduct.
The investigation, Trezevant wrote, is in regards to allegations of federal crimes including unauthorized computer access, the interception of wire, oral, our electronic communications, and conspiracy.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Burke has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Burke runs the political and media consulting company Burke Communications, and has also written for the Daily Beast and Deadspin.
Since the search, Burke’s business website has been offline, and his Twitter has not been updated.
The letter states that the hacked material related to a story Vice News published which included unaired clips of Carlson’s interview with Kanye West, and Media Matters for America’s “FOXLEAKS” video series.
The letter notes that the two entities are not accused of any wrongdoing, and that the investigation concerns illegal conduct “by other subjects” who are not Fox employees or affiliates.
According to the Daily Mail, Hurtak said the FBI search appeared to be solely related to her husband’s journalism work.
