A hacker apparently accessed private photos and emails sent between members of the Bush Family, including both former presidents, and a spokesman for George H.W. Bush said a criminal investigation is under way.
The Smoking Gun website said the hacker, who went by the online moniker "Guccifer," gained access to emails, photos, private telephone numbers and addresses of Bush family members and friends.
The website displayed photos it said came from the hacker, including one that purported to show the elder Bush during his recent near-two-month stay in a Houston hospital where the 88-year-old was treated for complications arising from a bronchial infection.
The authenticity of the photos and other details on the website could not immediately be confirmed. A spokesman for former President George H.W. Bush declined to comment on the reports.
"There's a criminal investigation and, as such, there's nothing else we can say," Jim McGrath told The Associated Press Friday.
The FBI in Houston was similarly tight-lipped.
"We do not confirm or deny the existence of any investigation," Houston FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap said Friday.
Freddy Ford, a spokesman for former President George W. Bush, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment by The Associated Press.
The word "Guccifer" is plastered across the photos published on the Smoking Gun website in translucent, neon blue print. The website quotes "Guccifer" as describing himself as a veteran hacker who has long been in the government's sights.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:40:17 GMT
The Vigo Importing Company has been bringing exotic products to Tampa for years. The warehouse facility of off Hillsborough Avenue is filled with all kinds of delicious things to eat.
The Vigo Importing Company has been bringing exotic products to Tampa for years. The warehouse facility of off Hillsborough Avenue is filled with all kinds of delicious things to eat.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:26:15 GMT
A man who drowned off South Lido Beach in the Gulf of Mexico has been identified as Steeve A. Reserve, 19. Reeves had been swimming with a friend off South Lido Beach around 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening.
A man who drowned off South Lido Beach in the Gulf of Mexico has been identified as Steeve A. Reserve, 19. Reeves had been swimming with a friend off South Lido Beach around 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:26:09 GMT
A 79-year old woman was robbed at knifepoint in the parking lot of a Bradenton Walmart Monday morning. The robbery happened around 11:30 a.m. at the Walmart on 53rd Ave East.
A 79-year old woman was robbed at knifepoint in the parking lot of a Bradenton Walmart Monday morning. The robbery happened around 11:30 a.m. at the Walmart on 53rd Ave East.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:25:54 GMT
The US Coast Guard used a helicopter from Coats Guard Air Station Clearwater to find two missing jet-skiers Monday morning four miles west of Hernando Beach.
The US Coast Guard used a helicopter from Coats Guard Air Station Clearwater to find two missing jet-skiers Monday morning four miles west of Hernando Beach.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-06-11 23:17:05 GMT
Ashely Delph's little girl's bedroom has been a construction zone since December. "Thereare carpet tacks exposed, carpet rolled up, stinky, gross," she said.
Ashely Delph's little girl's bedroom has been a construction zone since December. "There are carpet tacks exposed, carpet rolled up, stinky, gross," she said.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:33 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:33:11 GMT
A tropical depression has formed off the coast of Belize and forecasters say it is expected to bring as much as five inches of rain to parts of Belize, Guatemala and northern Honduras. The National Hurricane
A tropical depression has formed off the coast of Belize and forecasters say it is expected to bring as much as five inches of rain to parts of Belize, Guatemala and northern Honduras. The National Hurricane
Monday, June 17 2013 1:22 PM EDT2013-06-17 17:22:03 GMT
A Hillsborough County couple accused of kidnapping their sons and taking them to Cuba appeared in court Monday. Judge Chet Tharpe scheduled a disposition hearing in the case for July 31.
A Hillsborough County couple accused of kidnapping their sons and taking them to Cuba appeared in court Monday. Judge Chet Tharpe scheduled a disposition hearing in the case for July 31.
Saturday, June 15 2013 4:13 PM EDT2013-06-15 20:13:11 GMT
A merchandise booth peddling College World Series souvenirs was selling "official" coffee mugs bearing the logo of the wrong "Carolina" to make it to the tournament.
A merchandise booth peddling College World Series souvenirs was selling "official" coffee mugs bearing the logo of the wrong "Carolina" to make it to the tournament.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:51 AM EDT2013-06-17 10:51:24 GMT
Attackers knocked a woman to the ground and cut her when she was walking down a street in unincorporated Clearwater early Monday morning, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
Attackers knocked a woman to the ground and cut her when she was walking down a street in unincorporated Clearwater early Monday morning, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:25 AM EDT2013-06-17 13:25:52 GMT
A Largo woman has been arrested after police say she poured a bottle of muriatic acid onto a person's face. She was scheduled to appear in court Monday.
A Largo woman has been arrested after police say she poured a bottle of muriatic acid onto a person's face. She was scheduled to appear in court Monday.
