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May 29, 2013

Computer Hacker Jeremy Hammond Pleads Guilty in Stratfor Case 
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The computer hacker Jeremy Hammond has pleaded guilty to one count of
conspiracy for hacking into the computers of the private intelligence
firm Stratfor. Facing the prospect of decades behind bars on a number of
computer fraud charges, Hammond admitted to being a member of the group
Anonymous and to stealing files from Stratfor, as well as other
government and corporate sites. Some five million Stratfor emails ended
up on the whistleblowing website Wiki Leaks, shedding light on how the
private intelligence firm monitors activists and spies for corporate
clients. In a statement, Hammond said he accepted the plea deal in part
to avoid an overzealous prosecution that could have resulted in at least
30 years in prison. He has already served 15 months, including weeks in
solitary confinement. Of the hacking of Stratfor, Hammond said: "I did
this because I believe people have a right to know what governments and
corporations are doing behind closed doors."

 

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