Anthony Weiner

Anthony Weiner
Born:	September 4, 1964; Brooklyn, New York
Charges:
Sentence:	21 months in federal prison
Facility:	FMC Devens
Status:	Released (February 2019)

Anthony David Weiner is an American former politician who represented New York's 9th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1999 to 2011. Once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, Weiner resigned from Congress after a sexting scandal in 2011. His subsequent political comeback attempt was derailed by additional scandals. In 2017, Weiner pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor and was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison. His case inadvertently impacted the 2016 presidential election when an FBI investigation of his devices led to the reopening of the Hillary Clinton email investigation.

Early Life and Education

Anthony David Weiner was born on September 4, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in the Park Slope neighborhood. His father, Morton Weiner, was a lawyer, and his mother, Frances, was a public school teacher.

Weiner attended Brooklyn Technical High School and graduated from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1985 with a degree in political science.

Early Political Career

After college, Weiner worked as a legislative aide to then-Congressman Charles Schumer, beginning a mentorship that would shape his political career. He later served on the New York City Council from 1992 to 1998, representing Brooklyn.

Congressional Career

Election to Congress

In 1998, Weiner won the race to succeed Schumer, who was leaving the House to run for the U.S. Senate. At 34, Weiner became one of the youngest members of Congress.

Legislative Record

During his 12 years in Congress, Weiner was known for:

Progressive positions on healthcare and social issues
Passionate, sometimes theatrical, speeches on the House floor
Advocacy for 9/11 first responders
Liberal immigration stances
Aggressive media presence and combative style

Weiner developed a reputation as an effective communicator and a media-savvy politician. He frequently appeared on cable news programs, where his confrontational style earned him both admirers and critics.

Mayoral Ambitions

Weiner considered running for Mayor of New York City in 2005 and 2009 but did not ultimately mount serious campaigns. He was widely seen as a likely future mayoral candidate.

First Sexting Scandal (2011)

The Tweet

On May 27, 2011, Weiner's Twitter account posted a sexually suggestive photograph intended for a young woman. The image was quickly deleted, but conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart captured it.

Initial Denials

For over a week, Weiner publicly denied sending the image, suggesting his account had been hacked. He gave numerous media interviews maintaining this position.

Confession and Resignation

On June 6, 2011, Weiner held a tearful press conference admitting that he had sent the photograph and had engaged in "inappropriate conversations" with multiple women over several years through social media and text messages. He apologized to his wife, Huma Abedin, a close aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

On June 16, 2011, Weiner resigned from Congress after pressure from Democratic Party leadership, including President Obama.

Marriage to Huma Abedin

Weiner married Huma Abedin in 2010 in a ceremony officiated by former President Bill Clinton. Abedin was a longtime aide to Hillary Clinton and became a significant figure in Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign.

The couple had one son together. Despite the scandals, Abedin initially remained with Weiner, though they eventually separated and divorced.

2013 Mayoral Campaign

Attempted Comeback

In 2013, Weiner announced he was running for Mayor of New York City, seeking a second chance following his resignation. Early polls showed him competitive, and his campaign briefly led in some surveys.

"Carlos Danger" Scandal

In July 2013, additional sexting revelations emerged. It was revealed that Weiner had continued sexting with women under the pseudonym "Carlos Danger" even after his resignation from Congress.

The scandal torpedoed his campaign. Weiner finished fifth in the Democratic primary with just 4.9% of the vote. His campaign became the subject of a documentary film, "Weiner" (2016).

Federal Prosecution

Investigation

In 2016, federal investigators discovered that Weiner had engaged in sexually explicit communications with a 15-year-old girl from North Carolina. The exchanges occurred between January and March 2016 over multiple platforms including Facebook Messenger, Skype, Kik, Confide, and Snapchat.

Weiner allegedly knew the girl was underage and sent her explicit photographs while also requesting explicit images from her.

Connection to 2016 Election

During the investigation of Weiner's devices, FBI agents discovered emails between Huma Abedin and Hillary Clinton. These emails were related to the separate investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while Secretary of State.

On October 28, 2016, less than two weeks before the presidential election, FBI Director James Comey announced that the FBI was reopening the Clinton email investigation based on the newly discovered emails on Weiner's laptop.

The announcement dominated the final days of the campaign and is believed by many to have influenced the election outcome. Clinton later cited the Comey letter as a significant factor in her defeat.

Guilty Plea

On May 19, 2017, Weiner pleaded guilty to one count of transferring obscene material to a minor in federal court in Manhattan. He admitted to knowing the victim was 15 years old.

In court, Weiner stated: "I knew that what I was doing was morally wrong, but I knew it was also against the law."

Sentencing

September 2017

On September 25, 2017, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote sentenced Weiner to:

21 months in federal prison
3 years of supervised release
$10,000 fine
Requirement to register as a sex offender
Required participation in an outpatient sex offender treatment program

Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 21 to 27 months, while Weiner's attorneys had asked for probation, citing his mental health issues and participation in treatment.

Weiner's Statement

At sentencing, an emotional Weiner apologized to his victim and took responsibility for his actions. He attributed his behavior in part to addiction and mental health issues, for which he had sought treatment.

Judge Cote stated that the case required a prison sentence to deter Weiner and others from similar conduct, despite acknowledging his treatment efforts.

Incarceration

FMC Devens

Weiner reported to Federal Medical Center Devens in Massachusetts on November 6, 2017. Devens is a federal facility that provides specialized medical and mental health care to male inmates.

Early Release

Weiner was released from FMC Devens on February 17, 2019, approximately three months early due to good behavior credits. He was transferred to a halfway house in New York City to complete his sentence.

Post-Release

Sex Offender Registration

Upon release, Weiner was required to register as a sex offender, a status that carries significant restrictions on where he can live and work.

Divorce

Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner finalized their divorce in 2021 after initially separating in 2016 following the revelation of his communications with the minor.

Life After Prison

Weiner has maintained a low profile since his release. He has reportedly worked as a consultant, though his political career is effectively over.

Legacy

Political Impact

Weiner's fall was particularly notable because of his high profile and promising future:

He was seen as a potential mayor or senator
His aggressive progressive advocacy had earned him a national following
His scandals became a cautionary tale about social media and politics

Electoral Impact

The investigation into Weiner's devices had an outsized impact on national politics:

Led to the October 2016 Comey letter about the Clinton investigation
Many analysts believe the letter affected the 2016 presidential election outcome
Became a subject of intense debate about FBI procedures and political neutrality

Personal Tragedy

Weiner's story is often cited as an example of:

Self-destructive behavior in public figures
The challenges of addiction and compulsion
The permanence of digital communications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Anthony Weiner?

Anthony Weiner is a former U.S. Congressman from New York who resigned in 2011 amid a sexting scandal. In 2017, he was sentenced to 21 months in prison for sending obscene material to a 15-year-old girl.

Q: What did Anthony Weiner go to prison for?

Weiner pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor. He had engaged in sexually explicit communications with a 15-year-old girl while knowing her age.

Q: How long was Anthony Weiner in prison?

Weiner was sentenced to 21 months and served approximately 18 months at FMC Devens in Massachusetts before being released to a halfway house in February 2019.

Q: How did Anthony Weiner affect the 2016 election?

FBI investigation of Weiner's laptop discovered emails between his wife Huma Abedin and Hillary Clinton, prompting FBI Director Comey to announce he was reopening the Clinton email investigation 11 days before the election.

Q: Is Anthony Weiner a registered sex offender?

Yes. As part of his sentence, Weiner was required to register as a sex offender, a designation that remains in effect and carries ongoing restrictions.

References