A federal judge warned that Aimee Harris, who admitted to stealing Ashley Biden’s diary, could be arrested by Friday for missing her sentencing.
Harris, who is from Florida, did not appear for her sentencing due to childcare and other reasons. The judge delayed the hearing until April 9. If Harris does not submit the necessary documents by Friday, she could face an arrest warrant.
Prosecutors asked for six months of house arrest and three years of supervised release for Harris, while she requested probation.
In 2022, Harris and another person, Robert Kurlander, pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport stolen property across state lines, involving Ashley Biden’s diary.
Harris took the diary from a home in Delray Beach where Ashley had stayed, later selling it and other items to Project Veritas for $20,000 each. Prosecutors said Harris wanted to harm Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. Kurlander’s sentencing is set for April 12.
Project Veritas clarified that they did not publish the diary due to concerns about its authenticity and instead gave it to Florida law enforcement. The group often releases undercover videos alleging misconduct by left-leaning organizations but has been criticized for its methods.
The judge stressed the seriousness of the situation, noting that Harris could face jail time, contrasting the likely outcome of her sentence with the consequences of an arrest warrant.
The case highlights legal issues in political activism, regardless of political views, according to prosecutors.
Harris’s absence caused disruptions in the legal process multiple times, indicating ongoing difficulties in resolving the case.
The incident reignites discussions about journalistic ethics amid controversies surrounding Project Veritas’ operations, emphasizing the importance of clarity in adhering to legal and ethical boundaries.