A Massachusetts woman from Dracut, has found herself on the wrong side of the law, after being charged with the serious offense of leaking sensitive grand jury details. Jessica M. Leslie, 34, was hit with one count of criminal contempt last Friday, as per an announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. As the legal gears grind forward, Leslie has opted to plead guilty – her court appearances in Boston are still to be scheduled, her future decisions yet to be charted on the docket.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office official charging document, Leslie didn't just slip up once; between August 11, 2022, and March 4, 2024, she apparently took it upon herself to disclose protected information to those not cleared for such knowledge. Names of witnesses, the essence of their testimonies, and other grand jury materials, which were meant to be kept under wraps, were allegedly made public by Leslie's actions, a transgression against both the Federal Rules and a court order.
This slip could cost her dearly: a potential prison sentence that could stretch for years, five years of supervised release, and a monetary hit up to $250,000. While the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes will guide the sentencing, ultimately, it's a federal judge who will wield the decisive gavel. In the wake of this charge, Leslie remains, as with all accused individuals, presumed innocent until – or unless – a court of law finds her guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, alongside FBI Boston's Ted E. Docks, broke the news of the indictment. The legal prosecution baton has been passed to Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, who helms the Major Crimes Unit, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
