Judge Jeanine Pirro’s past took a dramatic turn in 2006 when her attempts to catch her then-husband, Albert Pirro, in an affair led to a federal investigation into illegal wiretapping. While running for New York Attorney General, Pirro’s private conversations with former police commissioner Bernard Kerik about planting a bug on her husband’s boat became public, damaging her career. Despite her later rise as a Fox News powerhouse, the scandal remains a significant chapter in Pirro’s story. Could this legal drama have derailed her ambitions for good? The truth might surprise you.

Judge Jeanine Pirro Faces Legal Scandal Over Alleged Wiretapping of Ex-Husband Amid Political Aspirations

In the high-stakes world of politics, few things are as damaging as personal scandals, and Judge Jeanine Pirro found herself embroiled in a major one in 2006. A mix of alleged illegal wiretapping and her turbulent relationship with her then-husband, Albert Pirro, threatened to derail her promising political career and tarnish her public image for years to come.

Jeanine Pirro's Ex-Husband Albert Pirro Jr. Pardoned by Trump at Last  Minute - Bloomberg

The Wiretapping Scandal: A Political Career Derailed

Pirro, who was once a rising star in New York’s political scene and serving as the District Attorney of Westchester County, was running for the office of New York State Attorney General in 2006 when the wiretapping allegations surfaced. The controversy erupted after a series of private conversations were leaked to the media, revealing Pirro’s attempts to gather evidence of an affair by her husband, Albert Pirro. According to reports, Jeanine had planned to secretly plant a bug on her husband’s boat to record conversations that would expose his alleged infidelity.

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The tapes in question allegedly included exchanges between Jeanine and former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, in which she discussed the possibility of placing the listening device on Albert’s boat, which was named Christie after their daughter. These revelations caused a media firestorm, with many questioning Pirro’s judgment and ethics. At the time, Pirro was seeking higher office, with eyes set on becoming Attorney General, but the wiretapping scandal became the defining moment that would hinder her political aspirations.

Who Is Jeanine Pirro's Ex-Husband? All About Albert Pirro

Albert Pirro’s Legal Troubles and Their Impact on Jeanine’s Career

Albert Pirro, Jeanine’s ex-husband, had already been embroiled in his own legal troubles long before the wiretapping incident. In 1999, he was indicted on numerous counts of tax fraud and evasion, ultimately serving 17 months in prison after being found guilty on 34 counts in 2000. Despite the scandal, Jeanine stood by her husband during his incarceration. However, tensions between the couple escalated, and Jeanine began suspecting Albert of having an affair, a suspicion that would lead her to take matters into her own hands.

Jeanine later admitted that, while she discussed the idea of wiretapping Albert’s boat, she never went through with the plan. “I said a lot of things, but what matters is what I did and didn’t do,” she remarked in a statement to reporters. “What I did was vent.”

However, the damage had already been done. The leaked wiretap discussions were widely covered, overshadowing her campaign and making it nearly impossible for her to move forward politically. In the end, Jeanine Pirro lost the Attorney General race to Andrew Cuomo, who would later go on to face his own series of scandals.

The Fallout: A Complicated Personal and Professional Life

Trump pardons Judge Jeanine's ex-husband Al Pirro

Though the wiretapping scandal impacted her political career, Jeanine Pirro went on to become a prominent figure in conservative media. In 2011, she joined Fox News as a host, where she became a staple of the network’s lineup, particularly known for her show Justice with Judge Jeanine. Pirro built an impressive career as a legal commentator and a fierce advocate for conservative values.

Despite her professional success, Pirro’s personal life remained complicated. She and Albert Pirro separated in 2007, and their divorce was finalized in 2013. While their relationship had fallen apart, it was the political scandal involving her attempts to investigate his infidelity that truly shaped her public persona during that period.

The Return to the Spotlight: Pirro’s New Role in the Trump Administration

In 2025, Judge Jeanine Pirro’s complex history and legal dramas were thrust back into the public eye when she was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. This marked a significant professional development for Pirro, bringing her back into the legal and political world she once inhabited. However, it also reignited the scrutiny of her past and the controversies that have followed her career.

Inside the salacious scandal that derailed Jeanine Pirro's political career

Her role in the Trump administration has raised questions about her previous legal troubles, especially regarding the wiretapping incident. Still, Pirro’s position as a prominent figure in conservative media and her legal expertise have made her a key player in Washington, D.C., even as her past is frequently revisited.

Conclusion: A Career Built on Resilience and Controversy

Judge Jeanine Pirro’s career has been marked by both significant professional achievements and personal controversies. From the wiretapping scandal that derailed her political ambitions to her current position as U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Pirro’s journey has been anything but conventional. While her past actions have sparked debate and raised ethical questions, her resilience in the face of adversity has allowed her to remain a key figure in both legal and media circles.

Her story serves as a reminder that in the world of politics and media, personal and professional lives often intersect in ways that can have lasting consequences. But for Pirro, the twists and turns of her career are part of a larger narrative—a narrative defined by her drive, ambition, and ability to bounce back from the most challenging moments in both her personal and professional life.