New security protocols are being rolled out in the Senate after a contract worker secretly recorded Republican senators during a private lunch meeting.
The 25-year-old Maryland man, who was working as temporary food service staff, was accused of setting his phone to record for several hours during the Senate Republican lunch on March 7, according to court documents obtained by NBC News.
When the man went back to retrieve his phone, flanked by Capitol Police officers, he couldn't find it because the phone had already been discovered by a senator who handed it over to police, NBC reported.
The report also indicates the man was in possession of "gathered trash" from the lunch meeting, including a "slideshow of information that was talked about in the event."
The man was arrested and charged with interception/use of wire tap, a misdemeanor which was later dropped, according to NBC.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-WY, called the incident "really concerning," especially since it took place during a closed-door meeting.
"Those conversations are an opportunity for senators to talk candidly about issues. So to have people on record and easily identifiable by their voices is problematic," Lummis told NBC.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, also expressed uneasiness about the incident.
"I am very concerned that it's someone in close proximity of the building and the members, some of whom have personal security assigned to them," she told NBC. "I think that was worrisome when I heard it."
Following the incident, security officials rolled out new protocols to make sure the Senate lunch meetings stay private and confidential as intended. One of the new rules requires all contractors and service staff to leave their cell phones in a cabinet outside of meeting rooms, according to NBC.
While the man's motivation for recording the meeting wasn't disclosed in court documents, the company that provides staffing for Senate lunches told NBC in a statement that the activity is in direct violation of its policies and is disrespectful to the Senators. The company added that the issue was "addressed and appropriately handled," though it's not clear if that means the worker was terminated.
Capitol Police declined to comment on the incident or the new security protocols.
Down the Audacy app and follow 97.1 FM Talk.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok
Related
Related
