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{{Infobox Person
{{Infobox Person
| name = Anthony Weiner
|name = Anthony Weiner
| image =
|image =
| birth_date = September 4, 1964
|birth_date = September 4, 1964
| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York
|birth_place = Brooklyn, New York
|charges = Transferring obscene material to a minor
|charges = Transferring obscene material to a minor (18 U.S.C. § 1470)
| sentence = 21 months in federal prison
|conviction_date = May 19, 2017
| facility = FMC Devens
|sentence = 21 months federal prison, 3 years supervised release, $10,000 fine
| status = Released (February 2019)
|sentencing_date = September 25, 2017
|judge = Hon. Denise Cote
|case_number = 1:17-cr-00307 (S.D.N.Y.)
|facility = FMC Devens
|status = Released
|release_date = May 14, 2019
|release_date = May 14, 2019
|conviction_date = September 25, 2017
|occupation = Former U.S. Representative
}}
}}


'''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. He was once seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party until a sexting scandal forced his resignation from Congress in 2011. A political comeback attempt in 2013 collapsed after more scandals emerged. In 2017, Weiner pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor and received a 21-month federal prison sentence. His case had unexpected consequences: the FBI investigation into his devices turned up emails that led Director James Comey to reopen the Hillary Clinton email investigation just days before the 2016 presidential election.
'''Anthony David Weiner''' (born September 4, 1964) is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented New York's 9th congressional district from 1999 to 2011. He resigned in June 2011 after a sexting scandal. A 2013 run for mayor of New York City ended in another scandal involving the pseudonym "Carlos Danger."<ref name="cnnrelease">CNN. "Anthony Weiner has been released from federal prison." February 17, 2019.</ref>


== Early Life and Education ==
In 2017 Weiner pleaded guilty to one federal count of transferring obscene material to a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1470. The conduct involved a 15-year-old girl from North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote sentenced him to 21 months in federal prison. He served about 15 months at the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts, and was released to a reentry program in February 2019. He was ordered to register as a sex offender.<ref name="rollingstone">Rolling Stone. "Anthony Weiner Released From Prison, Must Register as Sex Offender." February 17, 2019.</ref><ref name="foxregister">Fox News. "Anthony Weiner ordered to register as a sex offender as he nears end of prison sentence." 2019.</ref>


Anthony David Weiner was born on September 4, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, to a middle-class Jewish family. He spent his childhood in Park Slope during the 1970s and 1980s. His father, Morton Weiner, practiced law in Manhattan. His mother, Frances (Finkelstein) Weiner, taught math at a Brooklyn public school. He was the middle of three brothers.
The FBI investigation into Weiner's devices produced an unexpected consequence. Agents found a laptop he shared with his wife, Huma Abedin, that held emails connected to the bureau's separate inquiry into Hillary Clinton's private email server. On October 28, 2016, eleven days before the presidential election, FBI Director James Comey notified Congress that agents were reviewing the new material.<ref name="comey">Federal Bureau of Investigation. Letter from Director James Comey to Congressional committees on the Clinton email investigation. October 28, 2016.</ref> In 2025 Weiner ran for a seat on the New York City Council and lost the Democratic primary.<ref name="nbcepstein">NBC New York. "Harvey Epstein beats Anthony Weiner in District 2." July 1, 2025.</ref>


Weiner attended Brooklyn Technical High School, a competitive specialized public school. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1985. Even as a student, his political ambitions stood out. He served in student government and developed the confrontational debating style that would later define his time in Congress.
== Early Life and Career ==


== Early Political Career ==
Weiner was born September 4, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Park Slope. His father, Morton Weiner, was a Manhattan attorney. His mother, Frances, taught math in a Brooklyn public school. He was the middle of three brothers.


After graduating in 1985, Weiner went straight into politics as a legislative aide to then-Congressman Charles Schumer, who represented Brooklyn's 16th congressional district. Schumer became a crucial mentor. Weiner learned both policy details and the aggressive media tactics that Schumer had mastered. He worked for Schumer for six years, eventually becoming his senior policy advisor.
He attended Brooklyn Technical High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1985.


In 1991, at just 27 years old, Weiner ran for the New York City Council. He won a seat representing the 48th district, which covered parts of Brooklyn including Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, and Midwood. From 1992 to 1998, he built a reputation as a liberal voice on housing, education, and constituent services. He was aggressive in pushing back against city bureaucracy and fiercely advocated for his district. This City Council experience set the stage for his congressional run.
After college he went to work for then-Representative Charles Schumer of Brooklyn. He stayed for six years and rose to senior policy advisor. In 1991, at age 27, he won a seat on the New York City Council. He represented the 48th district, which covered Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, and Midwood. He held the seat from 1992 to 1998.


== Congressional Career ==
When Schumer ran for the Senate in 1998, Weiner ran to succeed him in the 9th congressional district. The district spanned parts of southern Brooklyn and south-central Queens. Schumer backed him. Weiner won the Democratic primary and took the general election with 66 percent of the vote.


=== Election to Congress ===
He was 34 when he joined the 106th Congress on January 3, 1999. He served on the House Judiciary Committee. Over twelve years he built a record as a liberal vote on healthcare and immigration. He advocated for 9/11 first responders. He appeared often on cable news. His combative floor speeches drew both supporters and critics.


When Schumer ran for the U.S. Senate in 1998, Weiner entered the race to succeed him in New York's 9th congressional district. The district included parts of southern Brooklyn and south-central Queens, with many heavily Jewish neighborhoods where Weiner had deep connections. Schumer backed him. Weiner won the competitive Democratic primary and cruised to victory in the general election with 66% of the vote.
Weiner weighed runs for mayor of New York City in 2005 and 2009. Both times he raised money and assembled a campaign team. Both times he declined to challenge incumbent Michael Bloomberg, whose personal fortune made him difficult to beat. By 2011 Weiner was viewed as a leading prospect for the 2013 mayoral race, when Bloomberg would be term-limited.


At 34, Weiner became one of the youngest members of the 106th Congress on January 3, 1999. He inherited Schumer's seat on the House Judiciary Committee. Within weeks, he'd positioned himself as a reliable liberal vote with strong connections to organized labor and progressive groups.
He married Huma Abedin on July 10, 2010, at Oheka Castle on Long Island. Former President Bill Clinton officiated. Abedin had worked for Hillary Clinton since 1996 and served as a deputy chief of staff at the State Department. Their son, Jordan, was born in December 2011.


=== Legislative Record ===
== Scandals and Resignation ==


During his 12 years in Congress, Weiner became known for several things:
On May 27, 2011, a sexually suggestive photograph appeared on Weiner's public Twitter timeline. It was meant as a private message to a 21-year-old college student in Seattle. Weiner deleted it within minutes. Conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart had already saved screenshots.
* Progressive positions on healthcare and social issues
* Passionate, sometimes theatrical, House floor speeches
* Strong advocacy for 9/11 first responders
* Liberal immigration stances
* Aggressive media presence and combative debating style


He developed a reputation as an effective communicator and politically savvy operator. He appeared constantly on cable news, where his confrontational style created both devoted followers and fierce critics.
For more than a week Weiner said his account had been hacked. He would not state plainly that the photo was not him. He said he could not be certain "with certitude." He declined to ask law enforcement to investigate. More women came forward with screenshots of flirtatious messages. The hacking story collapsed.


=== Mayoral Ambitions ===
On June 6, 2011, Weiner held a press conference in Manhattan. He admitted sending the photograph. He acknowledged inappropriate exchanges with at least six women over three years, conducted while he was married to Abedin. He apologized to his wife, his staff, and his constituents. He said he would not resign.


Weiner seriously considered running for Mayor of New York City in 2005 and again in 2009. In 2005, he conducted polling and raised money but ultimately decided against challenging incumbent Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was running for re-election. Bloomberg's personal wealth made him nearly impossible to beat. That was the practical calculation.
The pressure grew. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi called for an Ethics Committee investigation. President Barack Obama said in an interview that he would resign if he were in Weiner's position. On June 16, 2011, Weiner announced his resignation. It took effect immediately.


He looked at the 2009 race too. Once again, he built a campaign team. But Bloomberg lobbied to change city term limits laws so he could seek a third term. Weiner decided against running again, citing the impossibility of competing against Bloomberg's resources. These decisions were politically cautious but left Weiner as the presumed frontrunner for the 2013 mayoral race. Bloomberg would be term-limited by then. By 2011, Weiner was raising money and building relationships with key constituencies. He was laying groundwork for his run. Everything changed.
On May 22, 2013, Weiner announced a campaign for mayor of New York City. Early polls put him near the front of a crowded Democratic primary. By late June he led with roughly 26 percent support.


== First Sexting Scandal (2011) ==
On July 23, 2013, the website The Dirty published explicit messages between Weiner and a 23-year-old woman named Sydney Leathers. The exchanges had taken place in 2012, after his 2011 resignation. Weiner had used the alias "Carlos Danger." He held another press conference and said he would stay in the race. His polling fell. On September 10, 2013, he finished fifth out of six major candidates with 4.9 percent of the vote.


=== The Tweet ===
A documentary by Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg, titled ''Weiner'', premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. The filmmakers had been granted close access to the campaign.


On May 27, 2011, Weiner's Twitter account publicly posted a sexually suggestive photograph of a man's underwear-clad groin. It was meant as a private direct message to a 21-year-old college student in Seattle who followed him on Twitter. Instead it went straight to his public timeline. Weiner deleted it within minutes. Too late. Conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart had already captured screenshots. The image spread fast across social media and news websites.
== Federal Case ==
 
The image raised immediate questions. Had Weiner sent it intentionally, or had his account been hacked? The woman who received it initially defended Weiner publicly, suggesting a hacking explanation seemed plausible.
 
=== Initial Denials ===
 
For more than a week, Weiner spun an increasingly implausible story. He claimed his account had been hacked. At the same time, he refused to say flat out that the photograph wasn't him. In television interviews and press conferences, he gave evasive, contradictory answers that only made reporters dig harder. He said he couldn't say "with certitude" whether the photo was of him. Reporters found this bizarre if he'd truly been hacked.
 
Weiner wouldn't ask law enforcement to investigate the supposed hacking. That only made his story weaker. Then more women came forward with screenshots of flirtatious exchanges with him. The hacking narrative fell apart. His combative responses to reporters, once an advantage, now made him look dishonest and desperate.
 
=== Confession and Resignation ===
 
On June 6, 2011, Andrew Breitbart threatened to release more explicit photographs. Weiner held a chaotic press conference in New York City. In an emotional statement, he admitted sending the original photograph and engaging in "inappropriate conversations" with at least six women over three years. He'd used various social media platforms and text messages. He confirmed the relationships happened while he was married to Huma Abedin. He said they were never physical. Still, that wasn't the point.
 
Weiner apologized to his wife, his constituents, his staff, and his supporters. He acknowledged he'd lied repeatedly during the previous week. But he insisted he wouldn't resign from Congress. The press conference devolved into chaos when Breitbart himself took the podium and reporters questioned him about more photographs.
 
Initially, Weiner tried to stay in office. The political pressure became unbearable. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi demanded an Ethics Committee investigation. President Barack Obama said in an interview that he'd resign if he were Weiner. After ten days of mounting pressure from Democratic leadership and losing support from key allies, Weiner announced his resignation on June 16, 2011. It was effective immediately. His resignation letter was brief. He didn't mention the scandal.
 
== Marriage to Huma Abedin ==
 
Weiner married Huma Abedin on July 10, 2010, at the Oheka Castle on Long Island. Former President Bill Clinton officiated, which showed how connected Abedin was. She'd worked for Hillary Clinton since 1996 as her traveling chief of staff during Clinton's 2008 campaign and later as deputy chief of staff when Clinton became Secretary of State.
 
The marriage connected Weiner to the highest levels of Democratic power. Abedin was Clinton's closest advisor, sometimes called her "second daughter." Their son, Jordan Zain Weiner, was born in December 2011, months after Weiner left Congress.
 
Despite the 2011 scandal, Abedin stayed with Weiner. She appeared with him during his apology. Her decision seemed partly motivated by loyalty and partly by her own political aspirations and Clinton ties. But when Weiner's communications with a minor became public in 2016, Abedin announced their separation. The divorce was finalized in 2021 after a long legal process. It was initially contentious but ultimately resolved through private settlement.
 
== 2013 Mayoral Campaign ==
 
=== Attempted Comeback ===
 
On May 22, 2013, Weiner announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City. His campaign theme was redemption: a fighter who'd made mistakes but deserved another chance. A confessional profile in The New York Times Magazine featured Weiner and Abedin discussing the scandal and their marriage. Abedin's willingness to campaign with him was central to the comeback story.
 
Initial response surprised everyone. Early polls showed him as a serious contender in a crowded Democratic primary. By late June, he'd surged to first place with roughly 26% support. His name recognition, media skills, and detailed policy proposals on income inequality and affordable housing appealed to voters willing to forgive him. Campaign donations came in. He seemed to have successfully rehabilitated himself.
 
=== "Carlos Danger" Scandal ===
 
On July 23, 2013, the website The Dirty published sexually explicit messages between Weiner and a 23-year-old named Sydney Leathers. The exchanges included graphic photographs. They'd happened in 2012, more than a year after Weiner resigned from Congress. They came well after the 2011 scandal supposedly ended his inappropriate online behavior. Worse, Weiner had used the pseudonym "Carlos Danger" in these communications. That detail became instant tabloid gold and late-night comedy material.
 
Weiner held another press conference with Abedin beside him. He admitted to the new revelations but insisted he'd stay in the race. This time, the public wasn't forgiving. The "Carlos Danger" moniker became shorthand for Weiner's apparent inability to stop despite professional and personal consequences. His polling collapsed almost immediately.
 
The campaign limped through August, with Weiner becoming increasingly erratic and combative. In one incident at a bakery, he called a voter a "jackass." On primary day, September 10, 2013, he finished fifth out of six major candidates with just 4.9% of the vote. A humiliating defeat for the former frontrunner. In his concession speech, Leathers tried to crash the event, creating one final tabloid spectacle.
 
Documentary filmmakers Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg had been given extraordinary access to Weiner and his campaign. Their film, "Weiner," premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and showed unsparing political self-destruction.
 
== Federal Prosecution ==


=== Investigation ===
=== Investigation ===


In September 2016, the Daily Mail published a report that Weiner had engaged in sexually explicit communications with a 15-year-old high school student from North Carolina. The girl and her father had contacted the newspaper with evidence. The exchanges had happened between January and March 2016. Weiner had used multiple platforms including Facebook Messenger, Skype, Kik, Confide, and Snapchat. He'd apparently tried encrypted and ephemeral messaging apps to avoid detection.
In September 2016 the British newspaper the Daily Mail reported that Weiner had exchanged sexually explicit messages with a 15-year-old high school student in North Carolina. The girl and her father had brought evidence to the paper. The exchanges ran from January to March 2016. Weiner had used several platforms, including Facebook Messenger, Skype, Kik, Confide, and Snapchat.<ref name="cnnrelease"/>
 
The girl told investigators that Weiner knew she was underage. She'd explicitly told him she was in high school. Despite knowing this, Weiner sent her explicit photographs. One appeared to show his young son in the background. He requested and received explicit photographs from her. The communications included discussions of rape fantasies and other sexually explicit content. Under federal law, this constituted production of child pornography.
 
The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York immediately opened an investigation. Weiner initially denied the allegations through his attorney. But the evidence was overwhelming. Investigators obtained search warrants for his electronic devices, including his laptop and multiple phones.
 
=== Connection to 2016 Election ===


While executing search warrants on Weiner's devices in late September 2016, FBI agents discovered a laptop he shared with his wife, Huma Abedin. It contained thousands of emails between Abedin and Hillary Clinton. Some hadn't been previously reviewed during the FBI's investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while Secretary of State. This created an immediate crisis within the FBI and Department of Justice about how to proceed.
The student told investigators that she had told Weiner she was in high school. Prosecutors said Weiner knew she was a minor. He sent her explicit images and asked her to send explicit images and to undress on video.


On October 28, 2016, just 11 days before the presidential election, FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to Congress announcing that the FBI was reviewing newly discovered emails "that appear to be pertinent" to the Clinton email investigation. Comey felt obligated to notify Congress because he'd previously testified that the Clinton investigation was complete. The letter was immediately leaked and dominated news coverage for the rest of the campaign.
The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York opened a case. Agents obtained search warrants for Weiner's laptop and phones.


The announcement sent shockwaves through the race. Clinton's polling lead over Donald Trump narrowed significantly in the final days. On November 6, 2016, just two days before the election, Comey sent a second letter stating that the FBI's review had not changed its earlier conclusion that no charges were warranted against Clinton. Damage done.
=== Connection to the 2016 Election ===


Clinton lost on November 8, 2016, in one of the most stunning upsets in American political history. Subsequent analysis by political scientists and data analysts has suggested that the Comey letter had a measurable negative impact on Clinton's support, particularly among undecided voters and Obama-to-Trump swing voters in crucial states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Clinton herself has cited the October 28 letter as decisive, writing in her memoir "What Happened" that her campaign "never recovered" from it.
While reviewing the seized devices in late September 2016, agents found a laptop Weiner shared with Abedin. It held emails between Abedin and Hillary Clinton, some not previously examined during the FBI's earlier inquiry into Clinton's use of a private email server.<ref name="cnnrelease"/>


The connection between Weiner's criminal behavior and the presidential outcome remains one of the most extraordinary examples of unintended consequences in modern American political history. A teenager's exploitation led to criminal investigation, which led to discovered emails, which led to a political bombshell, which altered the trajectory of the nation.
On October 28, 2016, eleven days before the election, Comey wrote to Congress that the FBI was reviewing the newly found emails. He had previously told Congress the Clinton inquiry was finished. The letter dominated the closing days of the race.<ref name="comey"/>


=== Guilty Plea ===
On November 6, 2016, Comey sent a second letter. It said the review had not changed the bureau's earlier conclusion that no charges were warranted against Clinton. Clinton lost the election on November 8, 2016. In her memoir ''What Happened'', she cited the October 28 letter as a factor in the result.


On May 19, 2017, Weiner appeared before U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in the Southern District of New York and pleaded guilty to one count of transferring obscene material to a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1470. The charge carried a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, though federal sentencing guidelines suggested much lower.
=== Charge and Plea ===


Under the plea agreement, Weiner admitted to engaging in sexually explicit communications with the 15-year-old victim over three months from January to March 2016. He acknowledged knowing the victim was a minor and sending her obscene images. He also admitted asking her to engage in sexually explicit conduct via Skype and to send him sexually explicit photographs. This constituted production of child pornography.
On May 19, 2017, Weiner appeared before U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in the Southern District of New York. He pleaded guilty to one count of transferring obscene material to a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1470. The count carried a maximum of 10 years.<ref name="timesofisrael">The Times of Israel. "Anthony Weiner ordered to register as a sex offender." 2019.</ref>


In a tearful statement before the court, Weiner said: "I have a sickness, but I do not have an excuse... I knew that what I was doing was morally wrong, but I knew it was also against the law." He accepted responsibility for his conduct and expressed remorse for the harm he'd caused his victim, his family, and the public.
Weiner admitted to the exchanges with the 15-year-old over the three months from January to March 2016. He admitted knowing she was a minor and sending her obscene images. He admitted asking her for explicit photographs and to engage in sexually explicit conduct over Skype.


The plea agreement required Weiner to forfeit his iPhone, which he'd used in the offense. He also agreed to register as a sex offender and to pay restitution to the victim. The amount would be determined at sentencing. Prosecutors agreed not to charge him with production of child pornography or related offenses in exchange for his guilty plea.
In a statement to the court he said, "I have a sickness, but I do not have an excuse." The plea agreement required Weiner to forfeit the iPhone used in the offense, to register as a sex offender, and to pay restitution. Prosecutors agreed not to charge him with production of child pornography.


== Sentencing ==
== Sentencing ==


=== September 2017 ===
On September 25, 2017, Judge Cote sentenced Weiner to:
 
On September 25, 2017, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote sentenced Weiner to:
* 21 months in federal prison
* 21 months in federal prison
* 3 years of [[Supervised Release]]
* 3 years of [[Supervised Release]]
* $10,000 fine
* a $10,000 fine
* Requirement to register as a sex offender
* registration as a sex offender
* Required participation in an outpatient sex offender treatment program during supervised release
* participation in an outpatient sex offender treatment program during supervised release
* Forfeiture of his iPhone used in the offense
* forfeiture of the iPhone used in the offense<ref name="rollingstone"/>
 
The sentencing hearing was contentious. Prosecutors led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Kramer sought 21 to 27 months, arguing Weiner's conduct was predatory. They said he showed a pattern of compulsive behavior despite repeated consequences. A meaningful prison sentence was necessary for deterrence. The government emphasized that Weiner had asked his victim to undress and engage in sexually explicit conduct on video. He'd sent her pornographic images while knowing she was in high school.
 
Weiner's defense team, led by attorney Arlo Devlin-Brown, asked for probation with no prison time. They argued he'd already been punished extensively through public humiliation, the destruction of his career and marriage, and his status as a national punchline. The defense presented evidence of Weiner's participation in intensive sex addiction treatment and therapy. Mental health professionals submitted letters diagnosing him with various disorders. They characterized his behavior as the product of mental illness and addiction rather than predatory intent.
 
The defense also submitted letters from the victim's attorney suggesting the victim didn't want Weiner incarcerated. But Judge Cote noted that while considered, the victim's wishes weren't dispositive in sentencing for a federal crime.
 
=== Weiner's Statement ===
 
At sentencing, Weiner delivered an emotional statement to the court. His voice broke repeatedly. He apologized directly to his victim, stating: "I have a disease but I have no excuse. I hurt people and I hurt my victim." He acknowledged the pain he'd caused not only to the 15-year-old girl but also to his son, his ex-wife, his family, and his supporters.


Weiner described his participation in intensive therapy and sex addiction treatment programs since his arrest. He claimed to have gained insight into the compulsive patterns driving his behavior. He expressed commitment to continued treatment. He asked the court for mercy, requesting to continue rehabilitation in an outpatient setting rather than in prison.
Prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Kramer, sought 21 to 27 months. They said Weiner had asked the student to undress on video and had sent her pornographic images while knowing she was in high school. The defense, led by attorney Arlo Devlin-Brown, asked for probation. They cited Weiner's participation in sex addiction treatment and the loss of his career and marriage. They submitted letters from mental health professionals.


Judge Cote was unmoved. In imposing the 21-month sentence, she stated the case required a meaningful prison sentence to deter Weiner specifically from repeating this conduct and to deter others from engaging in similar predatory behavior online. She noted that despite two previous public scandals and the destruction of his career, Weiner had continued to engage in sexually inappropriate behavior. He'd escalated to victimizing a child. She acknowledged his treatment efforts but found them insufficient. The seriousness of the offense and the need for deterrence outweighed them.
Weiner delivered an emotional statement. He said, "I have a disease but I have no excuse. I hurt people and I hurt my victim." He apologized to the student, his son, and his ex-wife. He asked to continue treatment outside prison.


Judge Cote also noted the broader social importance. Weiner's conduct with a minor represented a serious federal crime warranting incarceration regardless of public humiliation or mental health issues.
Judge Cote imposed the 21-month term. She said the case required a meaningful sentence to deter Weiner and others. She noted that he had continued the conduct after two prior public scandals and had escalated to a child. She acknowledged his treatment efforts but found them insufficient against the seriousness of the offense.


== Incarceration ==
== Incarceration ==


=== FMC Devens ===
Weiner was ordered to surrender to the Federal Medical Center Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts, by November 6, 2017. He arrived that day. FMC Devens houses male inmates who need medical and mental health care. It runs a Sex Offender Management Program. Weiner was required to take part in sex offender treatment as a condition of his sentence.<ref name="nbcrelease">NBC News. "Anthony Weiner released from prison, now in federal reentry program." February 17, 2019.</ref>
 
Weiner was ordered to self-surrender to the Federal Medical Center Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts, by November 6, 2017. He arrived that date and was processed into custody. The assignment to FMC Devens, a federal medical center rather than a standard Federal Correctional Institution, likely reflected Weiner's documented mental health treatment needs and the sex offender treatment programming available there.
 
FMC Devens houses male inmates requiring medical and mental health care. It maintains a Sex Offender Management Program providing treatment to inmates convicted of sex offenses. Weiner was designated federal inmate number 79812-054. During incarceration, he was required to participate in the facility's sex offender treatment program as a sentence condition.
 
Weiner maintained a low profile during incarceration. Unlike his political career, he avoided media attention and didn't seek publicity. Bureau of Prisons records indicated he had no disciplinary infractions. This positioned him to earn maximum good conduct time credits.
 
=== Early Release ===
 
Weiner was released from FMC Devens on February 17, 2019, after serving approximately 15 months of his 21-month sentence. Under federal law, inmates can earn up to 54 days of good conduct time credit per year served. This effectively reduced Weiner's sentence by about 15% for maintaining clear conduct during incarceration.


Upon release from FMC Devens, Weiner wasn't immediately free. He was transferred to a Residential Reentry Center (RRC), commonly known as a halfway house, in Brooklyn, New York. The RRC placement, which typically lasts final months of a federal sentence, allows inmates to transition back into society under supervision. Residents must maintain employment or participate in job training, submit to regular drug testing, maintain a curfew, and obtain permission for movements outside the facility.
He kept a low profile in custody. He avoided media attention. Bureau of Prisons records showed no disciplinary infractions, which let him earn good conduct time.


Weiner completed his RRC placement on May 14, 2019. His custodial sentence was then complete. He began his three-year term of supervised release under U.S. Probation supervision.
Weiner was released from FMC Devens on February 17, 2019, after serving about 15 months of the 21-month term. Federal inmates can earn up to 54 days of good conduct credit per year served.<ref name="cnnrelease"/> On release he was transferred to a Residential Reentry Center, a halfway house, in New York. He completed that placement on May 14, 2019, and began his three-year term of supervised release.<ref name="nbcrelease"/>


== Post-Release ==
== Release and Aftermath ==


=== Sex Offender Registration ===
=== Sex Offender Registration ===


As a sentence condition, Weiner was required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). He registered in New York State as a Level 1 sex offender, the lowest of three risk levels. Authorities assessed him as having low risk of re-offense. But Level 1 registration carries significant consequences.
As a condition of his sentence, Weiner was required to register as a sex offender. A judge in Bronx Supreme Court designated him a Level 1 sex offender, the lowest of New York's three risk levels. The state set a minimum registration period of 20 years.<ref name="foxregister"/><ref name="timesofisrael"/>


As a registered sex offender in New York, Weiner must update his registration annually. He must notify authorities of any changes to residence, employment, or educational enrollment. He's subject to residency restrictions prohibiting him from living within certain distances of schools and other locations where children gather. His name, photograph, and offense information appear on the publicly accessible New York State sex offender registry.
Level 1 registration carries continuing obligations. Weiner must report changes to his residence, employment, or schooling. His name, photograph, and offense information appear on the New York State sex offender registry.
 
The registration requirement is lifetime unless Weiner successfully petitions for removal. That would require demonstrating rehabilitation and compliance with all conditions over an extended period. The registry status has effectively ended any possibility of returning to public life or politics. It serves as a permanent public record of his conviction.


=== Divorce ===
=== Divorce ===


Huma Abedin announced her separation from Weiner in August 2016, shortly after news broke about his communications with a minor. In January 2017, Abedin filed for divorce in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan. She cited the marriage as "irretrievably broken." The filing came on the same day Weiner made his first court appearance on federal criminal charges.
Abedin announced her separation from Weiner in August 2016, shortly after the news about the minor broke. She filed for divorce in January 2017 in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan. The filing came on the day of Weiner's first court appearance on the federal charge.


The divorce proceedings were initially public and contentious. Both parties filed competing motions. But in May 2017, both Weiner and Abedin requested that the case be taken off the public court calendar and resolved through private mediation. They cited the need to protect their young son from media attention. The court granted the request, and the case was transferred to confidential mediation.
In May 2017 both parties asked that the case be moved off the public calendar and resolved through private mediation. They cited their young son. The divorce was finalized in 2021.


The divorce was finalized in 2021, several years after the initial filing. The settlement terms, including custody arrangements and any financial settlement, weren't made public due to confidential mediation. By all accounts, Abedin has primary physical custody of their son. Weiner has visitation rights subject to restrictions imposed by his sex offender status and supervised release terms.
=== 2025 City Council Campaign ===


=== Life After Prison ===
In May 2025, Weiner announced a campaign for a seat on the New York City Council. He ran in District 2, which covers parts of lower Manhattan, including the East Village and parts of the Lower East Side.<ref name="ny1district">NY1. "Anthony Weiner headlines a competitive primary field in City Council District 2." June 5, 2025.</ref> The Democratic field included State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, Allie Ryan, Andrea Gordillo, and Sarah Batchu.


Since completing his prison sentence and RRC placement, Weiner has lived in near-total obscurity. This contrasts starkly with his previous life as a media-hungry politician. He completed his three-year term of supervised release in May 2022 without reported violations. He's no longer under active federal supervision, though lifetime sex offender registration requirements apply.
The primary used ranked-choice voting. Voting concluded June 24, 2025. The ranked-choice tally was released on July 1, 2025. Weiner finished fourth with about 10.3 percent of the first-round vote and was eliminated before the final round. Harvey Epstein won the primary with 57 percent in the final tally. Epstein went on to win the general election on November 4, 2025.<ref name="nbcepstein"/><ref name="usnewsepstein">U.S. News & World Report. "Harvey Epstein Wins NYC Council Primary, Defeating Anthony Weiner's Comeback Bid." July 1, 2025.</ref>


Weiner has reportedly worked in various consulting capacities. The specifics haven't been publicly disclosed. His sex offender status and the permanent destruction of his reputation make traditional employment difficult. Any return to politics or public life is impossible. Tabloid media have occasionally photographed him in New York City. He's consistently declined interview requests and avoided public statements.
=== Life After Prison ===
 
In a rare 2020 interview, Weiner acknowledged that he'd destroyed his own life and career through his "pathologies." He stated he had no expectation of public redemption. He described his focus as continued therapy and maintaining a relationship with his son. The interview was widely criticized as tone-deaf and self-pitying. It reinforced the public's lack of sympathy.


Weiner's name occasionally resurfaces in political discussions. Typically as a cautionary tale about hubris, self-destruction, and the permanence of digital communications. He remains one of the most spectacular political flameouts in modern American history.
Weiner completed his three-year term of supervised release in 2022. The Level 1 registration obligation continues. Before the 2025 campaign he had largely stayed out of public life. He hosted a radio program on WABC in New York for a period.
 
== Legacy ==
 
=== Political Impact ===
 
Weiner's fall was particularly striking because his political future had looked so promising. By 2011, he'd positioned himself as one of the Democratic Party's most effective messengers. His national media profile far exceeded most House members. Political observers widely viewed him as a future Mayor of New York City with potential to eventually run for statewide or national office. His mentor, Senator Chuck Schumer, had followed a similar trajectory from the House to citywide ambitions to the Senate.
 
Weiner's aggressive progressive advocacy earned him a devoted following among liberal activists who appreciated his willingness to confront Republicans on cable news. His theatrical House floor speeches defending healthcare reform and other progressive causes went viral before "going viral" was common. He was seen as a fighter willing to use media combat to advance policy goals.
 
The complete destruction of this promising career through compulsive sexting became an instant cautionary tale about social media, impulse control, and hubris. Weiner had the discipline and intelligence to succeed in politics. Yet he lacked the self-control to avoid destroying himself. This became the subject of psychological analysis and political commentary. His scandals helped establish the template for how digital sex scandals would be covered. They showed how they would end political careers in the social media age.
 
=== Electoral Impact ===
 
The investigation into Weiner's devices had an outsized and entirely unforeseeable impact on national politics. The discovery of Clinton-Abedin emails on Weiner's laptop led directly to FBI Director James Comey's October 28, 2016 letter to Congress. He announced the FBI was reopening the Clinton email investigation. The timing, just 11 days before the election, ensured maximum political damage with minimal time for Clinton's campaign to respond. Voters couldn't see the issue resolved before going to the polls.
 
Statistical analysis by political scientists including Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight has suggested that Clinton's polling declined measurably following the Comey letter. This happened particularly among undecided voters and soft supporters. Given that Clinton lost Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania by a combined total of fewer than 80,000 votes, any factor depressing her turnout or persuading swing voters could plausibly have been decisive. The Comey letter was the single largest news event in the final campaign days.
 
The FBI's handling became intensely debated. Multiple Inspector General investigations followed. Critics argued Comey violated Justice Department protocols against public investigative steps close to elections. Defenders argued he faced an impossible choice given his previous congressional testimony. Regardless, Weiner's criminal behavior had created the circumstance forcing the choice.
 
The incident remains a defining example of how personal scandals can have national consequences through unpredictable chains of causation. A teenager's exploitation led to criminal investigation. Investigation led to discovered emails. Emails led to a political bombshell. A bombshell may have altered the outcome of a presidential election.
 
=== Personal Tragedy ===
 
Weiner's case is frequently cited in discussions of self-destructive behavior, compulsive disorders, and the intersection of mental health with criminal conduct. Weiner's pattern of repeatedly engaging in behavior he knew would destroy his career and family became psychologically significant. He had every rational incentive to stop. Mental health professionals have discussed his case in the context of sex addiction, impulse control disorders, and narcissistic personality traits.
 
The case also highlighted the permanence and discoverability of digital communications. Weiner believed he could engage in explicit online exchanges without consequences. This happened even after being caught twice before. This demonstrated either profound denial or an inability to control compulsive behavior. His use of Snapchat and Confide, which promise ephemeral or encrypted messaging, proved futile once law enforcement became involved.
 
The human cost extended far beyond Weiner's ruined career. His actions damaged his wife's career and reputation. They subjected his young son to public humiliation. Most seriously, they victimized a 15-year-old girl who became the subject of national media attention. The victim's father later stated that his daughter had been traumatized both by Weiner's conduct and by subsequent publicity.
 
Weiner's case serves as a stark reminder that compulsive behavior, if unchecked, can escalate from embarrassing to criminal. The consequences extend far beyond the individual who engages in it.
 
== See Also ==
* [[Child Exploitation Offenses]]
* [[FMC Devens (medical facility)]]
* [[Sex Offender Registration]]


== Frequently Asked Questions ==
== Frequently Asked Questions ==
{{FAQSection/Start}}
{{FAQSection/Start}}
{{FAQ|question=Who is Anthony Weiner?|answer=Anthony Weiner is a former U.S. Congressman from New York who represented New York's 9th congressional district from 1999 to 2011. Once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, Weiner resigned from Congress after a sexting scandal in 2011, failed a mayoral comeback attempt in 2013 (the "Carlos Danger" scandal), and was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison in 2017 for sending obscene material to a 15-year-old girl.}}
{{FAQ|question=Who is Anthony Weiner?|answer=Anthony Weiner is a former U.S. Representative from New York. He served in the House from 1999 to 2011 and resigned after a 2011 sexting scandal. In 2017 he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of transferring obscene material to a minor and was sentenced to 21 months in prison.}}
{{FAQ|question=What did Anthony Weiner go to prison for?|answer=Weiner pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor in violation of federal law. From January to March 2016, he engaged in sexually explicit communications with a 15-year-old girl from North Carolina across multiple platforms including Facebook Messenger, Skype, Kik, and Snapchat. He knew the victim was a minor and sent explicit photographs while also requesting and receiving explicit images from her.}}
{{FAQ|question=What did Anthony Weiner do?|answer=Between January and March 2016, Weiner exchanged sexually explicit messages with a 15-year-old girl from North Carolina across platforms including Facebook Messenger, Skype, Kik, and Snapchat. He knew she was a minor and sent her explicit images. He pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor under 18 U.S.C. § 1470.}}
{{FAQ|question=How long was Anthony Weiner in prison?|answer=Weiner was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison. He served approximately 15 months at Federal Medical Center Devens in Massachusetts before being released to a Brooklyn halfway house in February 2019. He completed his sentence, including the halfway house placement, on May 14, 2019, and then began a three-year term of supervised release that concluded in May 2022.}}
{{FAQ|question=How long was Anthony Weiner's sentence?|answer=Judge Denise Cote sentenced Weiner to 21 months in federal prison on September 25, 2017, along with a $10,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He served about 15 months at FMC Devens in Massachusetts before his release in February 2019.}}
{{FAQ|question=How did Anthony Weiner affect the 2016 election?|answer=During the FBI investigation of Weiner's devices, agents discovered a laptop he shared with his wife Huma Abedin that contained thousands of emails between Abedin and Hillary Clinton. On October 28, 2016—just 11 days before the presidential election—FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to Congress announcing the FBI was reviewing these emails, an announcement that dominated news coverage and may have influenced the outcome of the closely contested race.}}
{{FAQ|question=Where was Anthony Weiner incarcerated?|answer=Weiner served his sentence at the Federal Medical Center Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts. The facility houses inmates who need medical and mental health care and runs a Sex Offender Management Program, which Weiner was required to attend as a condition of his sentence.}}
{{FAQ|question=Is Anthony Weiner a registered sex offender?|answer=Yes. As part of his sentence, Weiner was required to register as a Level 1 sex offender in New York State, the lowest risk level. The registration is for life unless he successfully petitions for removal. He must update his registration annually, is subject to residency restrictions, and his information appears on the publicly accessible sex offender registry.}}
{{FAQ|question=When was Anthony Weiner released?|answer=Weiner was released from FMC Devens on February 17, 2019, after serving about 15 months. He was transferred to a residential reentry center, completed that placement on May 14, 2019, and then began a three-year term of supervised release that ended in 2022.}}
{{FAQ|question=What happened to Anthony Weiner's marriage?|answer=Weiner married Huma Abedin, one of Hillary Clinton's closest aides, in 2010. Abedin announced their separation in August 2016 after news broke of his communications with a minor. She filed for divorce in January 2017, and it was finalized in 2021. Abedin has primary custody of their son.}}
{{FAQ|question=How did Anthony Weiner affect the 2016 election?|answer=During the FBI investigation of Weiner's devices, agents found a laptop he shared with his wife, Huma Abedin, that held emails tied to the separate inquiry into Hillary Clinton's private email server. On October 28, 2016, eleven days before the election, FBI Director James Comey notified Congress that agents were reviewing the new material. The letter dominated the final days of the race.}}
{{FAQ|question=Did Anthony Weiner run for mayor in 2025?|answer=No. In 2025 Weiner ran for a seat on the New York City Council in District 2, not for mayor. He lost the Democratic primary on July 1, 2025, finishing fourth with about 10.3 percent of the vote. State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein won the primary and the general election.}}
{{FAQ|question=Is Anthony Weiner a registered sex offender?|answer=Yes. A Bronx court designated Weiner a Level 1 sex offender, the lowest of New York's three risk levels, with a minimum registration period of 20 years. He must report changes to his residence and employment, and his information appears on the public state registry.}}
{{FAQSection/End}}
{{FAQSection/End}}


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Latest revision as of 12:59, 3 June 2026

Anthony Weiner
Born: September 4, 1964
Brooklyn, New York
Charges: Transferring obscene material to a minor (18 U.S.C. § 1470)
Sentence: 21 months federal prison, 3 years supervised release, $10,000 fine
Facility: FMC Devens
Status: Released


Anthony David Weiner (born September 4, 1964) is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented New York's 9th congressional district from 1999 to 2011. He resigned in June 2011 after a sexting scandal. A 2013 run for mayor of New York City ended in another scandal involving the pseudonym "Carlos Danger."[1]

In 2017 Weiner pleaded guilty to one federal count of transferring obscene material to a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1470. The conduct involved a 15-year-old girl from North Carolina. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote sentenced him to 21 months in federal prison. He served about 15 months at the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts, and was released to a reentry program in February 2019. He was ordered to register as a sex offender.[2][3]

The FBI investigation into Weiner's devices produced an unexpected consequence. Agents found a laptop he shared with his wife, Huma Abedin, that held emails connected to the bureau's separate inquiry into Hillary Clinton's private email server. On October 28, 2016, eleven days before the presidential election, FBI Director James Comey notified Congress that agents were reviewing the new material.[4] In 2025 Weiner ran for a seat on the New York City Council and lost the Democratic primary.[5]

Early Life and Career

Weiner was born September 4, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Park Slope. His father, Morton Weiner, was a Manhattan attorney. His mother, Frances, taught math in a Brooklyn public school. He was the middle of three brothers.

He attended Brooklyn Technical High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1985.

After college he went to work for then-Representative Charles Schumer of Brooklyn. He stayed for six years and rose to senior policy advisor. In 1991, at age 27, he won a seat on the New York City Council. He represented the 48th district, which covered Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, and Midwood. He held the seat from 1992 to 1998.

When Schumer ran for the Senate in 1998, Weiner ran to succeed him in the 9th congressional district. The district spanned parts of southern Brooklyn and south-central Queens. Schumer backed him. Weiner won the Democratic primary and took the general election with 66 percent of the vote.

He was 34 when he joined the 106th Congress on January 3, 1999. He served on the House Judiciary Committee. Over twelve years he built a record as a liberal vote on healthcare and immigration. He advocated for 9/11 first responders. He appeared often on cable news. His combative floor speeches drew both supporters and critics.

Weiner weighed runs for mayor of New York City in 2005 and 2009. Both times he raised money and assembled a campaign team. Both times he declined to challenge incumbent Michael Bloomberg, whose personal fortune made him difficult to beat. By 2011 Weiner was viewed as a leading prospect for the 2013 mayoral race, when Bloomberg would be term-limited.

He married Huma Abedin on July 10, 2010, at Oheka Castle on Long Island. Former President Bill Clinton officiated. Abedin had worked for Hillary Clinton since 1996 and served as a deputy chief of staff at the State Department. Their son, Jordan, was born in December 2011.

Scandals and Resignation

On May 27, 2011, a sexually suggestive photograph appeared on Weiner's public Twitter timeline. It was meant as a private message to a 21-year-old college student in Seattle. Weiner deleted it within minutes. Conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart had already saved screenshots.

For more than a week Weiner said his account had been hacked. He would not state plainly that the photo was not him. He said he could not be certain "with certitude." He declined to ask law enforcement to investigate. More women came forward with screenshots of flirtatious messages. The hacking story collapsed.

On June 6, 2011, Weiner held a press conference in Manhattan. He admitted sending the photograph. He acknowledged inappropriate exchanges with at least six women over three years, conducted while he was married to Abedin. He apologized to his wife, his staff, and his constituents. He said he would not resign.

The pressure grew. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi called for an Ethics Committee investigation. President Barack Obama said in an interview that he would resign if he were in Weiner's position. On June 16, 2011, Weiner announced his resignation. It took effect immediately.

On May 22, 2013, Weiner announced a campaign for mayor of New York City. Early polls put him near the front of a crowded Democratic primary. By late June he led with roughly 26 percent support.

On July 23, 2013, the website The Dirty published explicit messages between Weiner and a 23-year-old woman named Sydney Leathers. The exchanges had taken place in 2012, after his 2011 resignation. Weiner had used the alias "Carlos Danger." He held another press conference and said he would stay in the race. His polling fell. On September 10, 2013, he finished fifth out of six major candidates with 4.9 percent of the vote.

A documentary by Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg, titled Weiner, premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. The filmmakers had been granted close access to the campaign.

Federal Case

Investigation

In September 2016 the British newspaper the Daily Mail reported that Weiner had exchanged sexually explicit messages with a 15-year-old high school student in North Carolina. The girl and her father had brought evidence to the paper. The exchanges ran from January to March 2016. Weiner had used several platforms, including Facebook Messenger, Skype, Kik, Confide, and Snapchat.[1]

The student told investigators that she had told Weiner she was in high school. Prosecutors said Weiner knew she was a minor. He sent her explicit images and asked her to send explicit images and to undress on video.

The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York opened a case. Agents obtained search warrants for Weiner's laptop and phones.

Connection to the 2016 Election

While reviewing the seized devices in late September 2016, agents found a laptop Weiner shared with Abedin. It held emails between Abedin and Hillary Clinton, some not previously examined during the FBI's earlier inquiry into Clinton's use of a private email server.[1]

On October 28, 2016, eleven days before the election, Comey wrote to Congress that the FBI was reviewing the newly found emails. He had previously told Congress the Clinton inquiry was finished. The letter dominated the closing days of the race.[4]

On November 6, 2016, Comey sent a second letter. It said the review had not changed the bureau's earlier conclusion that no charges were warranted against Clinton. Clinton lost the election on November 8, 2016. In her memoir What Happened, she cited the October 28 letter as a factor in the result.

Charge and Plea

On May 19, 2017, Weiner appeared before U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in the Southern District of New York. He pleaded guilty to one count of transferring obscene material to a minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1470. The count carried a maximum of 10 years.[6]

Weiner admitted to the exchanges with the 15-year-old over the three months from January to March 2016. He admitted knowing she was a minor and sending her obscene images. He admitted asking her for explicit photographs and to engage in sexually explicit conduct over Skype.

In a statement to the court he said, "I have a sickness, but I do not have an excuse." The plea agreement required Weiner to forfeit the iPhone used in the offense, to register as a sex offender, and to pay restitution. Prosecutors agreed not to charge him with production of child pornography.

Sentencing

On September 25, 2017, Judge Cote sentenced Weiner to:

  • 21 months in federal prison
  • 3 years of Supervised Release
  • a $10,000 fine
  • registration as a sex offender
  • participation in an outpatient sex offender treatment program during supervised release
  • forfeiture of the iPhone used in the offense[2]

Prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Kramer, sought 21 to 27 months. They said Weiner had asked the student to undress on video and had sent her pornographic images while knowing she was in high school. The defense, led by attorney Arlo Devlin-Brown, asked for probation. They cited Weiner's participation in sex addiction treatment and the loss of his career and marriage. They submitted letters from mental health professionals.

Weiner delivered an emotional statement. He said, "I have a disease but I have no excuse. I hurt people and I hurt my victim." He apologized to the student, his son, and his ex-wife. He asked to continue treatment outside prison.

Judge Cote imposed the 21-month term. She said the case required a meaningful sentence to deter Weiner and others. She noted that he had continued the conduct after two prior public scandals and had escalated to a child. She acknowledged his treatment efforts but found them insufficient against the seriousness of the offense.

Incarceration

Weiner was ordered to surrender to the Federal Medical Center Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts, by November 6, 2017. He arrived that day. FMC Devens houses male inmates who need medical and mental health care. It runs a Sex Offender Management Program. Weiner was required to take part in sex offender treatment as a condition of his sentence.[7]

He kept a low profile in custody. He avoided media attention. Bureau of Prisons records showed no disciplinary infractions, which let him earn good conduct time.

Weiner was released from FMC Devens on February 17, 2019, after serving about 15 months of the 21-month term. Federal inmates can earn up to 54 days of good conduct credit per year served.[1] On release he was transferred to a Residential Reentry Center, a halfway house, in New York. He completed that placement on May 14, 2019, and began his three-year term of supervised release.[7]

Release and Aftermath

Sex Offender Registration

As a condition of his sentence, Weiner was required to register as a sex offender. A judge in Bronx Supreme Court designated him a Level 1 sex offender, the lowest of New York's three risk levels. The state set a minimum registration period of 20 years.[3][6]

Level 1 registration carries continuing obligations. Weiner must report changes to his residence, employment, or schooling. His name, photograph, and offense information appear on the New York State sex offender registry.

Divorce

Abedin announced her separation from Weiner in August 2016, shortly after the news about the minor broke. She filed for divorce in January 2017 in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan. The filing came on the day of Weiner's first court appearance on the federal charge.

In May 2017 both parties asked that the case be moved off the public calendar and resolved through private mediation. They cited their young son. The divorce was finalized in 2021.

2025 City Council Campaign

In May 2025, Weiner announced a campaign for a seat on the New York City Council. He ran in District 2, which covers parts of lower Manhattan, including the East Village and parts of the Lower East Side.[8] The Democratic field included State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, Allie Ryan, Andrea Gordillo, and Sarah Batchu.

The primary used ranked-choice voting. Voting concluded June 24, 2025. The ranked-choice tally was released on July 1, 2025. Weiner finished fourth with about 10.3 percent of the first-round vote and was eliminated before the final round. Harvey Epstein won the primary with 57 percent in the final tally. Epstein went on to win the general election on November 4, 2025.[5][9]

Life After Prison

Weiner completed his three-year term of supervised release in 2022. The Level 1 registration obligation continues. Before the 2025 campaign he had largely stayed out of public life. He hosted a radio program on WABC in New York for a period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Anthony Weiner?

Anthony Weiner is a former U.S. Representative from New York. He served in the House from 1999 to 2011 and resigned after a 2011 sexting scandal. In 2017 he pleaded guilty to a federal charge of transferring obscene material to a minor and was sentenced to 21 months in prison.


Q: What did Anthony Weiner do?

Between January and March 2016, Weiner exchanged sexually explicit messages with a 15-year-old girl from North Carolina across platforms including Facebook Messenger, Skype, Kik, and Snapchat. He knew she was a minor and sent her explicit images. He pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor under 18 U.S.C. § 1470.


Q: How long was Anthony Weiner's sentence?

Judge Denise Cote sentenced Weiner to 21 months in federal prison on September 25, 2017, along with a $10,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He served about 15 months at FMC Devens in Massachusetts before his release in February 2019.


Q: Where was Anthony Weiner incarcerated?

Weiner served his sentence at the Federal Medical Center Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts. The facility houses inmates who need medical and mental health care and runs a Sex Offender Management Program, which Weiner was required to attend as a condition of his sentence.


Q: When was Anthony Weiner released?

Weiner was released from FMC Devens on February 17, 2019, after serving about 15 months. He was transferred to a residential reentry center, completed that placement on May 14, 2019, and then began a three-year term of supervised release that ended in 2022.


Q: How did Anthony Weiner affect the 2016 election?

During the FBI investigation of Weiner's devices, agents found a laptop he shared with his wife, Huma Abedin, that held emails tied to the separate inquiry into Hillary Clinton's private email server. On October 28, 2016, eleven days before the election, FBI Director James Comey notified Congress that agents were reviewing the new material. The letter dominated the final days of the race.


Q: Did Anthony Weiner run for mayor in 2025?

No. In 2025 Weiner ran for a seat on the New York City Council in District 2, not for mayor. He lost the Democratic primary on July 1, 2025, finishing fourth with about 10.3 percent of the vote. State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein won the primary and the general election.


Q: Is Anthony Weiner a registered sex offender?

Yes. A Bronx court designated Weiner a Level 1 sex offender, the lowest of New York's three risk levels, with a minimum registration period of 20 years. He must report changes to his residence and employment, and his information appears on the public state registry.


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 CNN. "Anthony Weiner has been released from federal prison." February 17, 2019.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rolling Stone. "Anthony Weiner Released From Prison, Must Register as Sex Offender." February 17, 2019.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fox News. "Anthony Weiner ordered to register as a sex offender as he nears end of prison sentence." 2019.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Federal Bureau of Investigation. Letter from Director James Comey to Congressional committees on the Clinton email investigation. October 28, 2016.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 NBC New York. "Harvey Epstein beats Anthony Weiner in District 2." July 1, 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Times of Israel. "Anthony Weiner ordered to register as a sex offender." 2019.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 NBC News. "Anthony Weiner released from prison, now in federal reentry program." February 17, 2019.
  8. ↑ NY1. "Anthony Weiner headlines a competitive primary field in City Council District 2." June 5, 2025.
  9. ↑ U.S. News & World Report. "Harvey Epstein Wins NYC Council Primary, Defeating Anthony Weiner's Comeback Bid." July 1, 2025.


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