DOJ Makes Shocking Move Regarding Ashley Biden’s Diary
The Justice Department has recommended a sentence of between four and 10 months for the woman who stole Ashley Biden’s diary in August of 2022.
The New York Post reports that Biden’s top prosecutors are seeking to overrule previous recommendations by U.S. Attorneys for the Southern District of New York that Aimee Harris be given a sentence of six months’ home confinement. In August of 2022, she pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.
Part of the government’s reason for seeking a harsher sentence, DOJ prosecutors told District Judge Laura Taylor Swain, is that Harris has sought to delay her sentencing hearing 12 times.
“The defendant’s sentence must also account for the manner in which she has abused the administration of justice throughout the pendency of this court proceeding,” said US Attorney Damian Williams in a filing, calling her actions an “improper delay” for the court.
“The defendant has repeatedly and consistently engaged in tactics to improperly delay this proceeding, including by misleading the Court with false information to justify belated and unmerited requests for adjournments, refusing to appear when directed, and failing to comply with court orders to disclose or produce certain information,” the document states.
“Through this pattern of behavior, the defendant has shown a complete disregard for the Court’s orders and for the orderly administration of this judicial proceeding.”
Harris first came into possession of Ashley Biden’s diary, cell phone, tax records, and family photographs after staying at a residence previously occupied by her. Through an intermediary, she attempted to sell the diary, which contained “highly personal entries” according to the DOJ, knowing that it belonged to “an immediate family member of a then-former government official who was a candidate for national political office.”
The diary was ultimately sold to James O’Keefe at Project Veritas for upwards of $40,000. The outlet never claimed to publish the diary’s contents, but some of Ashley Biden’s writings later ended up online.
“A sentence involving no period of incarceration would be wholly insufficient to reflect the gravity of the defendant’s conduct, including her apparent belief that she is above the law and that she need not comply with this Court’s orders,” added DOJ prosecutors.
Harris has pleaded not guilty. She is set to be sentenced hearing on April 9th. Prosecutors have warned Harris, who is free until sentencing, that they will seek additional charges if she fails to appear.
