Destroying devices was actually required be security refs at a point in time shortly before the DoS staff destroyed the blackberries. They were just not aware of the change in regs. So, no, it wasn't illegal.
Originally Posted by TexTushHog
https://youtu.be/TwiMjLX_ABQ?t=39s
("
Was Clinton subject to government investigation? Yes.
A Congressional investigation of Benghazi began in 2012 and there were several private Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests still pending, creating a legal duty to preserve and turn over responsive records.")
("In addition to the eight devices she used as secretary of state, the FBI said they sought at least five additional mobile devices as part of its inquiry.
Clinton’s lawyers said they couldn’t provide any of the mobile devices she used. ")
("The inability to investigate the missing devices means investigators “could not make a determination as to whether” they were hacked, the FBI said.
In addition, a personal laptop used to archive Clinton’s e-mails when she was secretary of state went missing after being put in the mail.")
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Did Hillary Clinton violate 18 USC §1519 when emails from her private email server were destroyed during government investigation? The statute applies to anyone who deliberately (knowingly) destroyed emails (records) with the intent to destroy them, rendering them unavailable during any investigation or court proceeding.
Since legal matters were in progress, there existed a legal duty to keep all potentially relevant emails which extinguished any right to destroy those emails. While she may not have destroyed the records personally, she failed to protect them or place a legal hold on them and someone serving as her agent performed the actual destruction. In December 2014 she did instruct her team to destroy remaining emails after 60 days. And, ultimately, she never halted nor protested again any records destruction. ")