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San Francisco System Lockout Called 'Misunderstanding'
Date : 18 Jul 2008 Category : Technology
NewsFactor NetworkTerry Childs, 43, has been held on $5 million bond and pleaded not guilty Thursday to four counts of tampering with a computer network.
A Misunderstanding?
Erin Crane, Childs' court-appointed lawyer, called the case a big misunderstanding and said Childs has "been willing to hand over the password since Tuesday." He said negotiations are ongoing with city officials.
That was news to officials in the city's IT department, who told the San Francisco Chronicle they did not know of any offer to turn over the password. A spokesperson for District Attorney Kamala Harris would not comment on any talks.
The city's IT department has been trying to regain control of the network, which handles everything from the mayor's e-mail to San Francisco's electronic court records. All IT administrators were denied access.
Estimates were that, if necessary, the network could be rebuilt from scratch in six to eight weeks. Childs could be liable for the costs.
Behavior Frightens Official
Officials searched Childs' car and home in Pittsburg, concerned that he could have given the access code to an accomplice to destroy sensitive documents. However, no evidence of a collaborator was found.
Childs was part of a team that built the city's computer system and the trouble reportedly started June 20 when he photographed the new head of security for the IT department after she began an audit of access to the system. She reportedly believed Childs was reading supervisors' e-mails about his conduct. On July 9, Childs was ordered to leave work for alleged insubordination.
The security director reportedly became so concerned about Childs' behavior that she locked herself in her office and called authorities, leading to his arrest.