Computer Hacker Fined $4,125
By LINDA DEUTSCH, AP
LOS ANGELES (AP), Computer hacker Kevin
Mitnick, a computer vandal once on the FBI's most wanted list, was ordered Monday to pay
``token'' restitution of $4,125 to companies that suffered millions of dollars in damage
from his exploits. U.S. District Judge Mariana Pfaelzer said she doubts the
37-year-old Mitnick can earn more than minimum wage. He has been prohibited for three
years after his release from prison from any access to computers, cellular telephones,
televisions or any equipment that can be used for Internet access. He is also prohibited
from working as a consultant to computer companies.
As part of a plea agreement reached in March, Pfaelzer also sentenced him to
three years and 10 months in prison. With credit for time served, he will be eligible for
release in a year. Prosecutors had asked that Mitnick be ordered to pay $1.5
million, claiming his notoriety and intelligence will eventually give him the chance to
earn money through book, film or TV contracts.
But the judge was required to consider what he could earn in the next five
years.
``There's nothing on the record by which the court can find that he can engage
in anything other than a minimum-wage job,'' said defense lawyer Donald Randolph.
Mitnick admitted in March to federal accusations he broke into the computers of
several high-tech companies, stole software and installed programs that caused millions of
dollars in damage. He pleaded guilty to five felony counts as part of the deal.
Pfaelzer noted ``he's caused a lot of damage'' but said imposing a bigger restitution fee
would be futile.
Mitnick was one of the FBI's Most Wanted fugitives when he was arrested in 1995
in North Carolina after a cross-country hacking spree that attracted worldwide attention
from fellow hackers. His victims included such companies as Motorola, Novell, Nokia
and Sun Microsystems, and the University of Southern California. He was accused of
breaking into a North American Air Defense Command computer, although the allegation was
never proven.
On Friday, Los Angeles County prosecutors dropped state charges against him for
allegedly duping Department of Motor Vehicles workers into faxing confidential driving
records to a copy shop in 1992.
The hearing was attended by a large crowd of Mitnick supporters.
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