Hillary Clinton Email Investigation Latest: What To Know

New reported developments suggest that the Justice Department is turning up the heat on its criminal investigation of Hillary Clinton’s private email server and whether it contained classified information.

The revelations come as Clinton is closer than ever to being the Democratic nominee for president of the United States following her strong showing Super Tuesday.

Here’s what you need to know.

What’s the latest?

The Justice Department has given immunity to Bryan Pagliano, a former Clinton staffer who set up the private server, in exchange for his cooperation with the investigation, the Washington Post reported, citing a “senior law enforcement official.”

Interviews with those closest to Clinton could reveal why her camp wanted to set up the server, how they did it and whether any classified information was knowingly stored on it, the Post reported.

Who is Bryan Pagliano?

Pagliano worked with Clinton on her 2008 presidential campaign as an IT advisor, according to his LinkedIn page.

During her time as Secretary of State when the email server was set up, he was a “special advisor" to the State Department.

He set up the email server in her New York home in 2009, the Post reported.

What does Clinton think?

Her campaign did not immediately return a Patch request for comment, but according to Politico, Clinton press secretary Brian Fallon said in a statement that her camp was “pleased” that Pagliano will speak to investigators.

“As we have said since last summer, Secretary Clinton has been cooperating with the Department of Justice’s security inquiry, including offering in August to meet with them to assist their efforts if needed,” the statement said.

While some emails that the server held contained information that was later deemed classified, Clinton has repeatedly said that the information was not designated as classified at the time.

What is the status of the investigation?

There has been “no indication” that a grand jury will be convened, which would involve U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, according to the Post.

The department could have the investigation completed by early May, the New York Times reported, at which point it would decide whether or not to file criminal charges.

The State Department released the last batch of Clinton’s emails Monday.

What could happen to Clinton if she was charged?

The closest comparison to Clinton's situation is what happened to former CIA Director and Four-Star General David Petraeus.

Petraeus admitted to giving black books that contained classified information to his biographer (and mistress), Paula Broadwell. The information included code words, war strategies and other military secrets. Petraeus also admitted that he lied to investigators.

Petraeus, though, was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor. He was fined just $100,000 and got two years' probation instead of prison time.

What does this mean for Clinton's presidential campaign?

Clinton’s Democratic rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, has largely shied away from criticizing her over the emails, telling her in an October debate, “The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails.”

That couldn’t be less true among the Republican candidates, who have frequently used her email server as a target on the campaign trail.

“Once we get all of this finished, I’m going to go after one person, that’s Hillary Clinton, on the assumption she’s allowed to run, which is a big assumption,” Donald Trump said at his post-Super Tuesday speech. “I don’t know that she’s going to be allowed to run.”

See above: There is no indication that a grand jury would be convened.

Image via Gage Skidmore