Embarassing for the government, criminal, etc? Yes, but the title (both on HN and in the original) is sensationalistic. 40,000 cases in 10 years? That's around 15 cases per working day. She must have almost done a search and replace to be that 'productive'.
Because of that, I suspect the 'up to 40,000' means there are 40,000 cases that she might have affected, not that she is known to have affected.
Because of that, I suspect the 'up to 40,000' means there are 40,000 cases that she might have affected, not that she is known to have affected.