united-states us-federal-government punishment governmental-liability
Consequences of unlawful deletion of records
<p>The Secret Service recently admitted to the unauthorized (<a href="https://www.archives.gov/files/records-mgmt/resources/ud-2022-0054-dhs-usss-open.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">according to the National Archives</a>) deleting of text messages relevant to the US House's investigations of events surround the January 6, 2021 insurrection.</p>
<p>What are the legal ramifications and consequences for this illegal activity? (for both the agency, and for individuals responsible within the agency)</p>

<h2>Up to 1 year in prison or a fine</h2>
<p>The relevant law is <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/641" rel="nofollow noreferrer">18 U.S. Code § 641 - Public money, property or records</a> and the value of the lost items is less than $1,000.</p>
