Fox News Leaker's Digital Trail: How Timothy Burke's Alleged Hacking Spree Spanned Multiple Networks

Bottom Line Up Front: Former Deadspin editor Timothy Burke, already facing federal charges for allegedly hacking Fox News systems, was also suspected of compromising political broadcaster FedNet in 2021—revealing a pattern of unauthorized access to media networks that prosecutors say cost victims hundreds of thousands of dollars and spanned years before his arrest.

The Expanding Web of Alleged Digital Intrusions

What began as a criminal case focused on leaked Tucker Carlson footage has evolved into a sprawling investigation involving multiple major media organizations, sports leagues, and broadcast networks. Timothy Burke, 45, faces 14 federal charges including conspiracy, computer trespass, and wiretapping, but newly revealed court documents suggest his alleged digital activities were far more extensive than initially known.

The latest revelation centers on FedNet, a credentialed news organization that provides broadcast coverage of the U.S. Congress. According to draft subpoenas obtained by The Desk, Burke allegedly accessed FedNet's systems without authorization for four months starting in December 2020, downloading material from computer systems used for video transmissions and storage.

The FedNet Connection: A Precursor to Fox News

The editor, Timothy Burke, was sent a cease-and-desist order in mid-2021 after officials at FedNet discovered he was allegedly downloading material from a computer system used for video transmissions and storage related to their main television channel.

The FedNet incident, which has not been previously reported, occurred more than a year before Burke's most notorious alleged hack—the one that would eventually lead to his criminal charges. Officials at FedNet linked Burke to the activity after reviewing activity logs associated with their servers and discovering an Internet Protocol (IP) address that was connected to Burke's computers.

Notably, Burke was not charged with a crime related to the FedNet incident, and it's unclear whether the network sought law enforcement assistance. However, the incident establishes a pattern of alleged unauthorized access that prosecutors may use to demonstrate Burke's systematic approach to obtaining restricted media content.

The Fox News Case That Started It All

Burke's legal troubles stem from his role in exposing unaired footage from Tucker Carlson's Fox News show. The leaked clips, published by Vice News and Media Matters for America, included antisemitic remarks from Kanye West during his interview with Carlson, and behind-the-scenes footage showing Carlson making sexist and "uncouth remarks."

The 45-year-old was arrested Thursday morning and was expected to appear in federal court in Tampa, Florida, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Federal prosecutors allege that Burke, working with co-conspirator Marco Gaudino of Washington state, used compromised credentials to gain unauthorized access to protected computer systems belonging to major media organizations and sports leagues.

The Method Behind the Alleged Digital Intrusions

Court documents reveal a sophisticated operation that relied on finding passwords accidentally published online. Burke's lawyers said in that filing that he had merely used publicly available login credentials to access LiveU's feed, after a "confidential source" showed him where to find the details.

The key breakthrough came when Gaudino and Burke discovered online credentials that were accidentally posted to the website of a CBS News Radio affiliate in Tennessee. The credentials gave both men access to a website operated by LiveU, which offers a cloud-based service called Matrix that allows broadcasters like CBS and Fox to transmit live video over the Internet.

However, there's dispute about whether these credentials were truly "public." But the president of the radio station in question disputed this when contacted by The Desk last December, saying they would never intentionally direct listeners to use credentials belonging to another media organization.

The Co-Conspirator's Confession and Cooperation

The case against Burke was significantly strengthened when his alleged partner, Marco Gaudino, 25, of Washington state, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in April 2024. At a hearing last week, a federal judge in Florida sentenced Washington resident Marco Gaudino, 25, to one year of house arrest and five years of supervised release, during which he will be under the direct supervision of U.S. Court probation officers.

Crucially, Gaudino said he understood the conspiracy allegedly involving journalist Timothy Burke was a crime, and he was willing to accept full responsibility for his actions. His attorney's statement was particularly damaging to Burke's defense: "He understands what he did was a crime," his attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Adam Allen, said after Monday's hearing.

Gaudino's cooperation with federal authorities includes flying across the country to meet with agents and prosecutors who are pursuing the case against Burke, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Trezevant said in federal court on Monday.

The Scope of Alleged Victims

The draft subpoenas in Burke's case reveal the breadth of organizations potentially affected by his alleged activities. Beyond Fox News and FedNet, the list includes:

• ESPN - Major sports network
• MSNBC - Cable news channel
• Hearst Communications - Television broadcaster
• TVEyes - Online video repository and media monitoring service
• CBS Radio affiliate WGNS Radio - Source of compromised LiveU credentials
• National Basketball Association - Professional sports league
• CBS Broadcasting - Major television network

The cache of draft subpoenas written by Maddux — none of which have been formally filed — identify a number of companies as potential victims, some of whom were previously unknown.

The Defense Strategy: Journalism vs. Hacking

Burke's legal team has consistently argued that their client was engaged in legitimate journalism, not criminal hacking. In a statement, Burke's attorneys called his work "intrepid and perfectly legal," comparing his use of the login credentials to the sharing of a Netflix password.

The defense maintains that "The facts of this case will demonstrate that there was, in fact, no hacking whatsoever," the statement reads. They argue that Burke simply accessed publicly available information using credentials that were openly posted online.

However, this defense faces significant challenges, particularly given Gaudino's admission of criminal conduct and his agreement to testify against Burke.

The Financial Impact and Restitution Question

Federal prosecutors argue that Burke's alleged activities caused substantial financial harm to victims. Gaudino will not be required to pay restitution to his victims, even though federal prosecutors argued that his actions and Burke's alleged crimes caused "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in losses.

The financial impact could be significant for Burke if convicted. If Burke takes his case to trial and loses, he will likely be on the hook for the full restitution amount, which he may never be able to fully repay. This financial pressure may have contributed to Burke's legal challenges, as Burke's lawyers argued his legal costs were mounting and that he may be unable to retain his private attorneys if the court did not subsidize their fees.

A Pattern of Technical Sophistication

Burke's background suggests someone with the technical skills to execute such alleged operations. As a former Deadspin editor, Burke was known for publishing videos and animated GIFs of offbeat and unusual moments during live sports and news broadcasts, which were posted to the Deadspin website and Twitter under the name @bubbaprog.

His technical setup was impressive: by 2013, his capture setup included a variety of computer servers, receivers, and tuners that could record up to 28 simultaneous broadcasts. During the FBI raid on his home, agents seized numerous computers, servers, hard drives and video equipment that agents seized. Some of those devices have since been returned to Burke, but most of them are still being scrutinized by law enforcement investigators.

Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Challenges

Burke's case has faced multiple delays and legal challenges. Burke was indicted in February of last year on more than a dozen charges related to computer tresspass and unlawful interception. His trial has been repeatedly postponed, most recently pushed to October 2025.

The delays stem partly from the complexity of the digital evidence and Burke's aggressive legal challenges. Burke has lost numerous requests to have his criminal case tossed out of court or, at the very least, to have certain charges dismissed. An appeals court also rejected a request by Burke to have a number of his computers, hard drives and other items returned after they were seized from his home two years ago.

Recent court proceedings have not gone well for Burke's defense team. In May 2025, federal judge U.S. District Magistrate Judge Thomas Wilson blocked the subpoenas, saying Burke's attorneys admitted at an earlier hearing that the request was "overbroad" and that they couldn't prove why they were "entitled to these wide-reaching types of information identified in each subpoena."

The Broader Implications for Journalism

The Burke case has attracted attention from civil liberties groups concerned about the potential chilling effect on investigative journalism. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other advocacy groups have rallied to support Burke in recent months, filing supplemental briefs that argue that the government's decision to prosecute Burke on interception and wiretap charges could have a chilling effect on investigative journalism.

However, these groups have been careful to limit their support. (Notably, none of the groups have taken a position on Burke's computer trespass charges.)

The Personal Stakes

The case has had significant personal consequences for Burke and his family. Burke is married to Tampa City Council member Lynn Hurtak, and their home was raided and searched by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on May 8, 2023, serving a warrant related to the Tucker Carlson case according to the Tampa Bay Times. Sixteen computers, two hard drives, and two cell phones were seized as part of the investigation.

The ongoing legal battle has also taken a financial toll. Burke's mounting legal costs and the potential for substantial restitution payments if convicted create additional pressure beyond the criminal charges themselves.

Looking Ahead: Trial Strategy and Expectations

As Burke's case moves toward trial, several factors will likely prove decisive:

Prosecution Strengths:

• Gaudino's cooperation and admission that their activities were criminal
• Documentary evidence showing the scope of alleged unauthorized access
• Financial harm to multiple victim organizations
• Technical evidence demonstrating systematic approaches to finding and exploiting credentials

Defense Challenges:

• Arguing legitimate journalism when co-conspirator admits criminal conduct
• Distinguishing between "publicly available" and "accidentally published" credentials
• Explaining the scope of alleged access across multiple organizations
• Managing financial pressures from mounting legal costs

The Digital Age Dilemma

The Burke case highlights the complex intersection of digital journalism, cybersecurity, and criminal law in the modern media landscape. While traditional journalism has long relied on sources and leaks, the digital age has created new questions about what constitutes legitimate newsgathering versus criminal hacking.

The case also demonstrates how a single accidentally published password can potentially expose multiple organizations to unauthorized access, raising questions about cybersecurity practices across the media industry.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale for the Digital Era

The Timothy Burke case serves as a cautionary tale about the fine line between aggressive digital journalism and criminal computer intrusion. What began with leaked Tucker Carlson footage has evolved into a sprawling federal investigation involving multiple media organizations, sports leagues, and broadcast networks.

The revelation of the FedNet incident adds another layer to an already complex case, suggesting a pattern of alleged unauthorized access that extends well beyond the Fox News charges that made headlines. With Burke's co-conspirator having pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate, the case against the former Deadspin editor appears to be strengthening as it heads toward trial.

For the media industry, the case raises important questions about cybersecurity practices and the proper boundaries of digital newsgathering. For law enforcement, it represents a test case for applying traditional computer crime statutes to the evolving world of online journalism.

As Burke's trial approaches, the outcome will likely influence how both journalists and prosecutors navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape where newsworthy information and protected computer systems intersect. Whether Burke's actions constitute legitimate journalism or criminal hacking will ultimately be decided by a jury, but the broader implications for press freedom and cybersecurity will resonate far beyond the courtroom.

Burke's trial is currently scheduled for October 2025. If convicted on all charges, he faces potentially decades in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to victim organizations.