FBI's Secrecy About Russian Election Hacking Untenable: FL Reps

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Characterizing it as a military attack by a foreign government, Florida's Congressional Delegation is demanding the FBI provide full disclosure into the hacking of Florida elections offices by Russians during the 2016 general election.

Following a briefing with FBI and Homeland Security officials Thursday morning, bi-partisan Florida members of the U.S. House of Representatives held a news conference in which they expressed outrage that Florida officials were never informed of the breach.

The 2016 hacking incident came to light last month when the 448-page report by White House Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election was released. The report referenced the fact that Russian hackers had launched a phishing attack on the database systems of elections offices throughout Florida.

Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. In this case, the hackers were attempting to manipulate voter databases.

Members of the delegation learned today that employees at two Florida elections offices had clicked on those fraudulent emails, giving hackers access to confidential voter information.

FBI officials told members of the Florida delegation that the breach was thoroughly investigated and agents found no evidence that the hackers were able to tamper with the voter database. However, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican from the Panhandle, said that's no guarantee.

"They found no evidence that Russians manipulated data but couldn't be certain," he said. "This is disconcerting. It undermines the confidence of voters."

"The elections process, the heart of democracy, is under attack by foreign actors," said U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, a Republican from Boynton Beach.

Democrat U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park said this hacking incident should have been disclosed three years ago.

"Why in 2019 are we just finding out about this?" asked Murphy. "Frankly, it's unacceptable in my mind. Obviously, there was a thorough investigation by former FBI Director Mueller. But voters should know there was an attempt to tamper with information."

In addition to never informing elected officials about the breach, delegation members say the FBI is refusing to name the two Florida counties that were compromised by hackers. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who was governor of Florida in 2016, was just informed of the hacking incident following the release of the Mueller Report.

"A foreign military attacked our elections system, but they didn't even inform the Department of Defense," said Gaetz.

The delegation was equally incensed by the FBI's refusal to reveal which Florida counties were hacked in 2016. The reason is that the elections officials are victims and need to be protected. Otherwise, it could deter officials from coming forward in the future.

Additionally, the FBI is concerned that naming the counties would reveal methods and sources that could be exploited by foreign hackers."

Democrat U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell of Miami said labeling elections officials as victims is a "mischaracterization." If anything, she said, it's the voters who are the victims.

"This is ludicrous," said Gaetz. "I was shocked and offended. I don't know who the hell they think they are not to share this information."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the FBI also refused to tell him which elections offices were breached until he agreed to sign a document swearing to never reveal the "classified" information.

At the delegation's request, the FBI is revisiting the protocol dictating that the information be kept confidential.

"We told them that it is untenable to hold this information as classified," said Mucarsel-Powell. "The public needs to know."

Murphy said the delegation is also considering legislation that would mandate that the FBI brief government officials on any intrusions by hackers.

The good news, said delegation members, is there are now safeguards in place to prevent future hacking.

Waltz said Florida elections offices have been voluntarily equipped with sensors that can detect any incursions into their databases. Only one of Florida's 67 counties declined to use the sensor -- Palm Beach County.

"And we'll be beefing up cyber security further before the 2020 election," he said.

Murphy added that there is no indication any hacking occurred during the 2018 election but that doesn't mean counties should become complacent.

"We are under attack constantly by not only Russians but other foreign actors," she said.