Overview
- Kollar-Kotelly granted a temporary restraining order requiring DOJ to identify, segregate, and secure Richman’s seized materials and certify compliance by noon on Dec. 8.
- Prosecutors are barred from accessing the data without court approval, with the restriction effective through Dec. 12 unless the court acts sooner.
- The ruling cites likely success on Richman’s claim that the government unlawfully retained a full image of his computer and searched it without a warrant.
- The seized digital trove, obtained years earlier in a separate leak probe, was presented to an Alexandria grand jury and described by a magistrate judge as central to the case against Comey.
- The order complicates DOJ’s consideration of refiling charges after the Nov. 24 dismissal of Comey’s indictment over the unlawful appointment of the lead prosecutor.