Date: 18 Jul 92 18:29:39 CDT
From: mcmullen@well.sf.ca.us
Subject: File 4--New York Hackers Plead Not Guilty (NEWSBYTES REPRINT)

NEW YORK, N.Y., U.S.A., 1992 JULY 17 (NB) --At an arraignment in New
York Federal Court on Thursday, July 16th, the five New York
"hackers", recently indicted on charges relating to alleged computer
intrusion, all entered pleas of not guilty and were released after
each signed a personal recognizance (PRB) bond of $15,000 to guarantee
continued appearances in court.

The accused, Mark Abene also known as"Phiber Optik"; Julio Fernandez
a/k/a "Outlaw"; Elias Ladopoulos a/k/a "Acid Phreak"; John Lee a/k/a
"Corrupt"; and Paul Stira a/k/a "Scorpion", were indicted on July 8th
on 11 counts alleging various computer and communications related
crimes --although all five were indicted together, each in not named
in all eleven counts and the maximum penalties possible under the
charges vary from 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine (Stira) to
40 years imprisonment and a $2 million fine (Lee).

As part of the arraignment process, United States District Judge
Richard Owen was assigned as the case's presiding judge and a
pre-trial meeting between the judge and the parties involved.

Charles Ross, attorney for John Lee, told Newsbytes "John Lee entered
a not guilty plea and we intend to energetically and aggressively
defend against the charges made against him."

Ross also explained the procedures that will be in effect in the case,
saying "We will meet with the judge and he will set a schedule for
discovery and the filing of motions. The defense will have to review
the evidence that the government has amassed before it can file
intelligent motions and the first meeting is simply a scheduling one."

Marjorie Peerce, attorney for Stira, told Newsbytes "Mr. Stira has
pleaded not guilty and will continue to plead not guilty. I am sorry
to see the government indict a 22 year old college student for acts
that he allegedly committed as a 19 year old."

The terms of the PRB signed by the accused require them to remain
within the continental United States. In requesting the bond
arrangement, Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Fishbein
referred to the allegations as serious and requested the $15,000 bond
with the stipulation that the accused have their bonds co-signed by
parents. Abene, Fernandez and Lee, through their attorneys, agreed to
the bond as stipulated while the attorneys for Ladopoulos and Stira
requested no bail or bond for their clients, citing the fact that
their clients have been available, when requested by authorities, for
over a year. After consideration by the judge, the same $15,000 bond
was set for Ladopoulos and Stira but no co-signature was required.

(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen//19920717)

Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253