Widespread Computer Spying by GOP on the Hill

Senate Democrats who were briefed Monday about an investigation into how Democratic strategy memorandums dealing with judicial nominations ended up in the hands of Republican staff members said they now believed the problem was far more extensive than previously thought.

"The extent and duration of the improper access was both remarkably longer and more widespread than I had ever imagined," Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois said.

Democratic staff aides who were briefed on Mr. Pickle's presentation said senators were stunned to learn that more than 3,000 documents had been improperly read by Republicans. In addition, one aide said Mr. Pickle said the breach in security was the result of a person "hacking," or working to gain entry into the Democrats' files. After that initial hacking, the documents were easily available on the network.

el - Computer hacking is a federal crime. Even using computer information you do not have authorized access to is a crime.