**************************************************************************** >C O M P U T E R U N D E R G R O U N D< >D I G E S T< *** Volume 1, Issue #1.00 (March 28, 1990) ** **************************************************************************** MODERATORS: Jim Thomas / Gordon Meyer REPLY TO: TK0JUT2@NIU.bitnet COMPUTER UNDERGROUND DIGEST is an open forum dedicated to sharing information among computerists and to the presentation and debate of diverse views. -------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: The views represented herein do not necessarily represent the views of the moderators. Contributors assume all responsibility for assuring that articles submitted do not violate copyright protections. -------------------------------------------------------------------- =================================================== === Computer Underground Digest - File 5 of 5 === =================================================== ------------ This press release was attacthed to the indictment. We reprint it here to present the federal side of the case. It originally appeared in PIRATE Magazine. We have checked the text against the original for accuracy. ----------------- INFORMATION RELEASE FROM: U.S. Department of Justice DATE: February 6, 1990 IRA H. RAPHAELSON, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and PATRICK T. McDONNELL, Special Agent In Charge of the United States Secret Service in Chicago, today announced the indictment of Robert J. Riggs, 20, of %address deleted%, and Craig M. Neidorf, 19 %address deleted%, on charges that between December, 1988 and February, 1989 they entered into a scheme to steal and publish to other hackers highly proprietary and sensitive information about the operation of Bell South's Enhanced 911 emergency communication system. The seven count indictment charges Riggs and Neidorf with Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, Wire Fraud and Violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986. Specifically, the indictment charges that Riggs, also known as "Robert Johnson" and "The Prophet", stole a copy of Bell South's highly proprietary and closely held computer program that controlled and maintained the E911 system. Bell South's E911 system controls emergency calls to the police, fire, ambulance and emergency services in municipalities of the nine state region served by Bell South; Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. The indictment alleges that in December 1988 Riggs stole the E911 data valued at $79,449.00 by using a computer outside the telephone company to call into the telephone company computer in which the computer file was stored. The indictment charges that Riggs then transferred the E911 data to a computer bulleting board in Lockport, Illinois from which Neidorf, also known as "Knight Lightning", down loaded it for publication in a computer hacker publication known as "PHRACK." The indictment charges that Riggs was a member of a closely knit group of computer hackers known as the Legion of Doom whose members are involved in numerous illegal activities including: *Disrupting telephone service by entering the telephone companies switches (which are computers) and changing the routing of telephone calls. *Stealing computer data from individuals and companies. *Stealing and modifying individual credit histories. *Fraudulently obtaining money and property from companies by altering information in their computers. *Disseminating information about attacking computers to other computer hackers in an effort to shift the focus of law enforcement agencies to those other hackers and away from the Legion of Doom. The indictment charges that as part of their fraud scheme Riggs and Neidorf disclosed the stolen information %reportedly PHRACK #24-eds.% about the operation of the enhanced 911 system to other computer hackers so that they could unlawfully access the E911 system and potentially disrupt or halt other 911 service in the United States. If convicted on all counts of the indictment Riggs faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 32 years and a maximum possible fine of $222,000.00; and Neidorf faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 31 years and a maximum possible fine $122,000.000. In announcing the return of the indictment, Mr. Raphaelson noted that the allegations of the indictment have far reaching implications for the health and welfare of individuals in the United States who rely on their telephones as a lifeline to the outside world. Mr. Raphaelson stated, "People who invade our telecommunications and related computer systems for profit or personal amusement create immediate and serious consequences for the public at large. No one should be made to suffer loss of life or severe injury as a result of hackers who have compromised emergency networks. The telecommunications industry and law enforcement community have become attentive to these crimes and those who choose to use their intelligence and talent to disrupt these vital networks will find themselves vigorously prosecuted." Raphaelson stated that the indictment in Chicago and a companion indictment in Atlanta are the initial results of a year long investigation by agents of the United States Secret Service in Chicago, Atlanta, Indianapolis, New York, St. Louis and Kansas City. Raphaelson further noted that pursuant to Court Orders, technical and expert assistance was provided to the United States Secret Service by telecommunication companies including Bell South and its subsidiaries, Southwestern Bell, NYNEX (New York), and Bellcore. Raphaelson particularly praised the actions of Bell South for its proactive position in bringing their intrusion problems to the attention of law enforcement officials and for its formation of an Intrusion Task Force to analyze and respond to the intrusions noted in the Chicago and Atlanta indictments. Assistant United States Attorney William J. Cook, who heads the Computer Fraud and Abuse Task Force, and Assistant United States Attorney Colleen D. Coughlin presented the case to the federal grand jury and will be trying the case in the United States District Court in Chicago. Members of the public are reminded that the indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial at which time it will be the government's burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. *** END *** =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ + END THIS FILE + +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+===+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= !  Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253 12yrs+