The possible scenarios Hillary Clinton faces in the FBI probe of her secret server range from escaping scot-free to the campaign-crippling possibility of criminal charges being brought. Here are the options, according to several experts with experience bringing and defending high-level federal investigations:
NO CHARGES:
Without clear evidence that Clinton or any of her aides knowingly transferred classified information to a private server or broke any other criminal laws, the FBI could simply wind down the investigation — especially considering she’s a former Obama administration Cabinet member.
PROBE WIDENS:
As investigators interview a former State Department staffer — who’s been granted immunity — and other top aides, as well as Clinton herself, information obtained can cause the probe to shift focus or expand.
GRAND JURY TIME:
The Justice Department can convene a grand jury to give investigators broader powers, such as subpoenaing witnesses.
CHARGES FLY:
In this worst-case scenario for the Democratic presidential candidate, a grand jury could bring an indictment against her or aides for mishandling classified information or obstructing the federal investigation.
CIVIL SUIT:
Meanwhile, last month a federal judge ordered that Clinton’s aides could be questioned under oath in a separate civil lawsuit brought by Judicial Watch over alleged violations of open records laws. Anything said could be used in the FBI probe.
