CBS News on Monday finally returned confidential files belonging to fired investigative reporter Catherine Herridge amid mounting pressure from the House Judiciary Committee and the union representing the journalist, The Post has learned
Herridge — who is in the middle of a key First Amendment case — had been probing the Hunter Biden laptop scandal when the acclaimed journalist was shockingly fired as part of mass layoffs by parent company Paramount Global nearly two weeks ago.
Her personal files — along with her work laptop, which may have contained other confidential info — were immediately confiscated and locked away at CBS headquarters in Manhattan.
“Catherine Herridge’s union representative picked up her materials this morning,” a CBS News rep confirmed to The Post on Monday.
The Post exclusively reported on Friday that the House Judiciary Committee is launching a probe into the network’s shocking seizure of the reporter’s files as part of her termination.
“The unprecedented actions of CBS News threaten to chill good journalism and ultimately weaken our nation’s commitment to a free press,” committee wrote in a letter to CBS News president Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews.
Ciprian-Matthews and top brass at the network have until March 1 to provide information on who handled Herridge’s files and who ordered them to be retained, among other things.
“This was a standard HR conversation about materials in her office, which Catherine then referred to her union representative,” a CBS spokesperson said Monday.
It is unclear who gave the order to seize Herridge’s files in the first place — whether it came from Ciprian-Matthews or her bosses, CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon or CBS CEO George Cheeks.
A high-ranking CBS source told The Post neither McMahon nor Cheeks were involved in the decision to hold on to Herridge’s files.
Sources close to the situation said the network was particularly rattled when SAG-AFTRA, the union representing CBS News employees, came out strongly in favor or Herridge.
“This action is deeply concerning to the union because it sets a dangerous precedent for all media professionals and threatens the very foundation of the First Amendment,” the union said at the time.
Herridge — who is the middle of a First Amendment case being closely watched by journalists nationwide — was among 20 CBS News staffers let go as part of a larger purge of 800 employees by Paramount.
During her time at CBS, Herridge had encountered roadblocks from higher-ups over her Hunter Biden coverage and had also clashed with Ciprian-Matthews, a sharp-elbowed executive who was investigated — and cleared — in 2021 over favoritism and discriminatory hiring and management practices, as The Post previously reported.
Some sources speculated that the network may believe Herridge has information in her files that could lead to a lawsuit for wrongful termination.
Others mused that she may have sensitive information — including sources — that are central to her investigation into Hunter Biden.
Currently, Herridge is under fire for not complying with US District Judge Christopher Cooper’s order to reveal how she learned about a federal probe into a Chinese American scientist who operated a graduate program in Virginia.
The journalist may soon be held in contempt of court for not divulging her source for an investigative piece she penned in 2017 when she worked for Fox News.
She could be ordered to personally pay fines that could total as much as $5,000 a day.
Insiders were concerned that CBS could be subpoenaed to reveal her source’s identity, which would have threatened free press principles.
Others were worried that leaving sensitive documents in the hands of unnamed CBS officials could also have compromised Herridge’s numerous other confidential sources, not to mention it potentially violated HIPAA laws, as her files may have also contained personal and family medical records.
CBS previously denied that it planned to keep any sensitive information belonging to Herridge, saying last week: “We are prepared to pack up the rest of her files immediately on her behalf – with her representative present as she requested.”
Aside from file-gate, Herridge’s exit has drawn heaps of support for the embattled journalist from fellow journalists, viewers and organizations alike.
On Monday, the US Justice and Advocacy Group — which worked with Herridge on a major investigation — said it is “disappointed” that CBS News ousted the journalist.
“Catherine’s candor and difficult reporting on the mistreatment of injured Air National Guard Service Members and other important DOD [Department of Defense] and VA [Veterans Affairs] issues have impacted more than a million United States Veterans,” the group said in a statement.
The group worked with Herridge last November on an investigation that revealed the National Guard denied 30% of injury claims that are recommended by local commanders, raising questions among service members about whether correct policies and procedures are followed.
“Catherine’s unique ability to dig deep and demand accountability from the US Government comes at a significant personal cost,” the group said. “We at USJAG support and stand 100% behind Catherine Herridge.”