File this one under Department of Ho-Hum. Even if the snoopers revealed passport contents to outsiders, they have only committed misdemeanors. The Washington Post story, here, does suggest, somehwat murkily, that State Department employees and contractors accessing passport files must first represent (by touching a “Yes” button on a computer monitor) that they are authorized to view the contents. Will a zealous prosecutor claim that such a representation by an unauthorized person constitutes a false statement to the government under 18 U.S.C. Section 1001? Your guess is as good as mine. The Post says that the State Department’s OIG will investigate, but may ask for assistance from DOJ.
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