HomeMagazine

First Amendment Claim Denied in Project Veritas Case Involving Alleged Theft of Biden’s Daughter’s Diary

President Joe Biden walks on the beach with daughter Ashley Biden, June 20, 2022, in Rehoboth Beach, Del. | Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

In a recent development, a judge has rejected Project Veritas’ First Amendment claim in a case related to the alleged theft of a diary belonging to President Joe Biden’s daughter, Ashley Biden. Over 900 documents obtained from raids authorized in November 2021 may soon be turned over to criminal prosecutors.

U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in Manhattan ruled on Thursday that the documents can be provided to investigators by January 5. Project Veritas, a conservative group self-identified as a news organization, is renowned for its hidden camera stings targeting various entities, including news outlets, labor organizations, and Democratic politicians.

Attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, representing Project Veritas, stated on Monday that they are considering appealing the ruling. In the judge’s written decision, she dismissed the First Amendment arguments, deeming them “inconsistent with Supreme Court precedent.”

The case revolves around the guilty pleas of Aimee Harris and Robert Kurlander in August 2022 for conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. The pair discovered Ashley Biden’s diary and other belongings in a friend’s house in Florida and initially attempted to sell them to then-President Donald Trump’s campaign.

Project Veritas later paid Harris and Kurlander $20,000 each to deliver the diary, which contained “highly personal entries,” along with a digital storage card containing private family photos, tax documents, clothes, and luggage to New York.

Project Veritas was not charged with any crime, maintaining that its activities were ethical and legal. The group’s lawyers argued that the government’s investigation aimed to stifle the press from investigating the President’s family.

The judge, however, rejected this argument, emphasizing that Project Veritas could not claim protection under the First Amendment, especially after two individuals involved had already pleaded guilty. The ruling has prompted discussions about a potential appeal, with attorneys for Project Veritas evaluating their options.

The case highlights the intricate balance between press freedom and legal boundaries in investigative journalism, particularly when involving high-profile individuals. The ongoing developments will likely attract further attention as the legal proceedings unfold.

Subscribe to our newsletter

COMMENTS