That guy should be punished, but it’s a bad law. The law states that anyone who uses a computer for other than an approved purpose is guilty of a federal crime.
Checking FreeRepublic on a work computer without your boss’ approval? Under this law that could be 10 years in jail.
Gotta agree that the conduct of bribery searching is terrible, but the law applied that broadly is not a well worded law.
Charges should have been more about corrupt use of office. Not blanket any kind of access.
RICO being used against Pro Lifers is a case in point.