the DOJ came down hard on subsection (c)(2) of the statute because it contains the phrase “official proceeding.”
(c) Whoever corruptly—
[snip]
(2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so,
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
But while the DOJ is focusing everyone’s attention on subsection (2), they’re ignoring subsection (1):
(c) Whoever corruptly—
(1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the object’s integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding...
Does that remind you of anything? It certainly does me. JACK SMITH
