(c) 1995 Copyright Nando.net
[1](c) 1995 Associated Press
NEWARK, N.J. (Nov 29, 1995 - 10:32 EST) -- The FBI has accused a
Monmouth University junior of committing computer-assisted revenge by
sending 24,000 electronic messages to two administrators and crashing
the school's message system.
It took about five hours to fix the E-mail system at the West Long
Branch school on Nov. 20, said Grey Dimenna, university general
counsel. Other school computer systems were not affected.
The messages, consisting of random text, were sent automatically by an
"E-mail bomb" program, Dimenna said.
Dominick S. LaScala appeared in court Tuesday on federal charges of
using a computer used in interstate commerce to send data he knew
would damage a system, a felony; and using a computer with reckless
disregard, a misdemeanor.
LaScala was freed on $10,000 bail. No plea was entered.
"We think we will be vindicated at trial," said LaScala's lawyer,
Frank E. Tournour.
Systems operators and FBI agents traced the messages in less than two
days to LaScala, 21, of Bethpage, N.Y., FBI Special Agent John Mahoney
said in a complaint.
The messages were traced through various Internet accounts in two
states to an account maintained by another Monmouth student, Mahoney
said.
LaScala's own university computer privileges had been suspended for
ignoring requests to stop posting commercial messages on inappropriate
parts of the Internet, Dimenna said. He was soliciting investors in a
restaurant, said FBI Special Agent Monica Baldwin.
School administrators haven't decided whether LaScala will face
university discipline, which could include expulsion, Dimenna said.
If convicted on both federal counts, he could face a maximum of six
years in prison and a $350,000 fine; actual penalties would be far
less under federal sentencing guidelines.