ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Trent Russell, a 34-year-old former health care worker from Bellevue, Nebraska, was sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday for unlawfully accessing the health records of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before her death in 2020. At the time of his actions, Russell was employed as a transplant coordinator for the Washington Regional Transplant Community, which allowed him access to hospital records across the region.
Earlier this year, Russell was found guilty on charges of illegally accessing health care records and subsequently destroying or altering those records. Additionally, he was accused of publishing Ginsburg’s health information online in 2019 during a period that saw significant public speculation about her ability to serve due to ongoing health concerns. Although prosecutors alleged that he spread false rumors about her death alongside this sensitive information, the jury acquitted him of those specific charges.
Throughout the trial and sentencing, prosecutors highlighted Russell’s troubling behavior and lack of accountability. They argued that he disclosed sensitive health details on forums associated with antisemitic conspiracy theories. As noted by prosecutor Zoe Bedell, “He offered completely implausible excuses with a straight face,” further emphasizing that Ginsburg’s status as a public figure made her particularly vulnerable to such privacy breaches.
U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff condemned Russell’s actions as “truly despicable conduct” and noted that his attempts to deflect blame—including an odd suggestion that his cat may have inadvertently triggered the access—only exacerbated the situation. Judge Nachmanoff remarked, “You chose to blame your cat,” expressing disbelief at Russell’s lack of responsibility.
During the proceedings, Russell’s defense attorney, Charles Burnham, argued for leniency, requesting either probation or home detention. He emphasized Russell’s history of saving lives as a transplant coordinator and his military service, including deployment to Afghanistan, framing these as mitigating factors. Burnham described Russell as having “lived a quietly heroic life” and attributed his criminal behavior to “being stupid.”
In contrast, prosecutors maintained that Ginsburg’s age and health challenges, coupled with her prominent status, made her an exceptionally susceptible victim of Russell’s criminal actions. Bedell asserted, “He went with the Supreme Court justice who was old, who was sick, and whose sickness was a public concern.”
In determining the sentence, Judge Nachmanoff acknowledged Russell’s family circumstances, noting that he has a sick step-parent who requires care. However, he pointed out the irony in the secrecy surrounding the step-parent’s health issues, stating, “Why? Because it is sensitive health information—a benefit you did not provide to Justice Ginsburg.”
Despite the sentence, Russell and his attorney declined to comment after the hearing regarding any intentions to appeal. The court records in this case are heavily redacted to avoid disclosing Ginsburg’s name, but the acknowledgment of her as a victim was evident throughout the legal proceedings.
