Aimee Harris, the woman who admitted to stealing President Joe Biden’s daughter Ashley’s diary and helping sell it to conservative activists, could face arrest for skipping her sentencing in Manhattan. Harris had previously delayed her sentencing twice this year due to childcare and other issues. U.S. District Judge Laura Swain warned that an arrest warrant would be issued for Harris on Friday unless she provides additional documents by noon that day, including a financial affidavit. Prosecutors had recommended six months of house arrest and three years of supervised release, while Harris requested probation. Harris and another Florida resident, Robert Kurlander, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit interstate transportation of stolen property in connection with Ashley Biden’s diary.
Harris stole the diary from a home in Delray Beach, Florida, where Ashley Biden had once stayed and was storing her possessions. She enlisted Kurlander to help sell the diary, Ashley Biden’s family photos, and other items to the conservative activist group Project Veritas, who paid them $20,000 each. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan stated that Harris’ communications indicated she wanted to “harm Candidate-1’s campaign,” referring to Joe Biden’s 2020 White House run. While Harris’ political views were not relevant to the case, prosecutors noted that the way she advanced them was outside the bounds of lawful political activism.
Robert Kurlander is set to be sentenced on April 12 for his involvement in the case. Project Veritas stated that Harris and Kurlander claimed to have obtained the diary lawfully but did not publish a story on it due to inability to confirm its authenticity. Instead, they sent it to Florida law enforcement. Project Veritas is known for releasing hidden camera footage to uncover alleged wrongdoing by left-leaning organizations and has faced criticism for using deceptive tactics. The group has always maintained that its work constitutes journalism.
The judge warned Harris that an arrest warrant could lead to her spending time behind bars, a consequence she likely would have avoided at sentencing. Harris’ lawyers had cited childcare and other issues as reasons for her absence. Judge Swain postponed sentencing until April 9 to allow Harris more time to provide necessary documents. Prosecutors argued for house arrest and supervised release for Harris, while she requested probation. The case sheds light on the theft and sale of personal items for political gain, highlighting the extreme measures some individuals may take in the pursuit of their political agendas. It also raises concerns about the ethical boundaries of political activism and the potential legal repercussions for those who cross them.
