FBI Raid On Media Consultant’s Home Linked To Probe Into Tucker Carlson Leaks: REPORT

An FBI raid of the home of a media consultant in Tampa was linked to a probe into leaked videos involving former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the Tampa Bay Times reported Friday.

FBI agents searched the home of Tim Burke, a media consultant who also worked with media outlets, and Tampa City Council member Lynn Hurtak May 8 as part of a probe into backstage videos and unaired footage obtained by Vice News and Media Matters, according to the Tampa Bay Times. (RELATED: ‘I’m Shocked’: Trump Reacts To Tucker Carlson’s Departure From Fox)

ESZTERGOM, HUNGARY - AUGUST 07: Tucker Carlson speaks during the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) Feszt on August 7, 2021 in Esztergom, Hungary. The multiday political event was organized by the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), a privately managed foundation that recently received more than $1.7 billion in government money and assets. The leader of its main board, Balazs Orban, who is also a state secretary in the prime minister's office, said MCC's priority is promoting "patriotism" among the next generation of Hungary's leaders. (Photo by Janos Kummer/Getty Images)

ESZTERGOM, HUNGARY – AUGUST 07: Tucker Carlson speaks during the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) Feszt on August 7, 2021 in Esztergom, Hungary. (Photo by Janos Kummer/Getty Images)

The videos show Carlson, a co-founder of the Daily Caller and Daily Caller News Foundation, having candid conversations during commercial breaks and prior to segments on his Fox News program. Unaired portions of Carlson’s two-part interview with rapper and fashion designer Kanye West from October 2022 also were released.

Fox News announced Carlson’s departure from the network April 24, saying they had “agreed to part ways” with the popular host. The network’s ratings have dropped since Carlson’s departure, with some subscribers cancelling their subscriptions to the affiliated streaming service, Fox Nation.

Attorneys for Carlson accused the network of breaching its contract May 19, saying the leaks were part of a “smear campaign” against the former host. Fox News sent Media Matters a cease-and-desist letter after that outlet posted some of the leaked videos.

Carlson announced May 9 he would be re-launching the show on Twitter. Carlson’s interview with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who purchased Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022, aired shortly before his departure from the network.

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