Why? There could be a number of reasons.
1. Revenge. Scott didn't shut up, and now must pay.
2. Outlived his usefulness to either side.
3. Side B found the records covered by Side A and leaked them.
4. Perhaps this is a message to Saddam?
Ritter is high profile. Ritter is monitored.
There's No way that local cops would have snared him, and sealed the records without Federal Authorities (FBI/CIA/etc) knowing about it.
Think on that for a minute, and you'll see it is true.
If you were the FBI/CIA wouldn't YOU monitor someone who received a $400,000 cash payment from Saddam?
I would. And If I know to do it, they know to do it.
THEREFORE, the Feds also knew about the sealed records.