John Solomon's Laptop
You've probably heard or read about this story--John Solomon's laptop being stolen "near the White House." My first reaction was, I can't believe he left the laptop in his car, even if it was backed up. The excerpt below from Zerohedge helps explain that--although there's a lesson in this for all reporters, official or otherwise:
A thief absconded with John Solomon's laptop on the eve of the Senate impeachment trial, snatching the evidence-filled device out of the investigative journalist's car which was parked near the White House, according to RealClearInvestigations, citing a report by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
Solomon told RCI's Paul Sperry that the laptop - which has since been recovered - contained 'notes on Ukraine and former Vice President Joe Biden and other sensitive information.'
The case is currently under investigation by a MPD detective.
The Secret Service is also involved in the matter, which appears suspicious. Break-ins are rare in the high-security area where the crime occurred, just outside the White House perimeter, and a sophisticated device appears to have been used to get into the vehicle.
In the early evening of Jan. 20, the police report states, Solomon’s Apple MacBook laptop and computer bag, valued at around $1,800, were stolen from his 2019 Toyota SUV parked at 1776 F St. NW, across from the White House’s Eisenhower Executive Office Building. No windows were broken, and there were no other signs of forced entry. Authorities suspect the thief or thieves used an electronic jamming device to open the car door lock.
Nothing else was stolen from the vehicle, according to Solomon, including his US Capitol press security badge.
The computer bag was discovered the next day a block away from where his car was parked, with the contents dumped out on a picnic bench near the FDIC building - a location with no security cameras which authorities described as one of the rare "dark spots" in the area.
Solomon says he is working with a computer forensics expert to determine whether any of the information on his laptop was exploited, or if his hard drive was scanned.
"It's a pretty professional job," said Solomon, adding "but it's probably just a coincidence."
I'd say it's WAY too early to say it's just a coincidence.