From: asteal@primus.net (agent steal)
Subject: The Fugitive Game
Date: 1996/02/06
Message-ID: <4f6u4r$5gj@news.cerf.net>
X-Deja-AN: 138192698
organization: CERFnet
newsgroups: alt.fan.kevin-mitnick,alt.2600,alt.security


An open letter to Jon Littman:

This correspondence is regarding the overall accuracy and portrayal of
myself (Agent Steal) in your book, "The Fugitive Game". Let me begin by
summing it up in one simple phrase;

- Mealy Mouthed Nonsense -

Upon reading your book one might expect me to have such a comment. After
all you did all but completely trash me. I might have found your
descriptions of my appearance, dialogs, and actions to be comical had they
not been published in a nationally distributed book. I know that at least
my close friends had a good laugh. But all laughing and personal bias aside
you quite simply have authored a grossly inaccurate book. I should also add
that Mr. Mitnick has not lent his endorsement either. This despite your
sycophantic portrayal of him as the consummate hacker.

Before I continue with my comments I would like to make it clear that this
is not a vindicative attack on someone who has slandered me. No, this goes
much deeper than simple sticks and stones. The point I wish to make is you
have missed the mark when it comes to this story. What the hell were you
thinking? Your Poulson article was good but this is something entirely
different. You've taken an adventurous and fascinating saga and turned it
in to a sordid two bit "National Enquirer" article. On top of that you have
twisted, omitted, and blurred the facts.

Frankly I consider what you've done to not only be odious but incredibly
irresponsible. You have damaged your reputation as a serious journalist and
I would be surprised if anyone who knows the true story ever takes
seriously anything you publish.

It's common advice not to trust newsprint reporters, but I thought maybe,
just maybe, you would be different. I thought you might publish the truth
as well as the whole story.

One of the aspects that vexes me is that it was not necessary to formulate
the story in the manner you did. Merely recounting it with a well written,
well researched description of the events that transpired would have been
adequate. Perhaps your insecurities over the simultaneous release of two
competing books troubled you. Perhaps the only way you felt you could
compete with a world class N.Y. Times reporter and an insightful Rolling
Stone write was to sensationalize and slander not only myself but one of
the writers.

I will say this: I'm no angel. I've committed some sophisticated and
financially motivated computer crimes. But I am not, however, the
two-faced, heartless, career criminal you've painted me out to be. I've
always been loyal to my REAL friends, I'm not some kind of sexual deviant,
and I have always had some kind of job. But it's not my desire to debate
the details of your "novel" here and now.

As I compose this commentary I wonder if the true story will ever be told.
Does anybody really want to hear it? Is it possible you just told the
public what they wanted to hear. I've had the opportunity to discuss this
with Kevin Mitnick, as we have become friends of a sort. We are both in the
same prison. He as well as I has mixed emotions about the whole ordeal. For
now Kevin's comments are just between the two of us. But one thing is
certain: We have lost faith in the press as well as the Government.

My message to you is that you have been duped. Conned by the biggest social
engineer in your book: Mitnick. When and if he goes to trial or if someone
files a "Freedom of Information Act" request, they boy are you going to
look stupid. Or will looking stupid all the way to the bank really matter
to you? Possibly not, because that is what it appears was the objective
here. It certainly wasn't to tell the real story or even a complete story.
No, what you have written isn't laudable or plausible, just laughable and
sueable.

Yes Mr. Littman, I will see you in court. And I will see your publisher,
your agent, and anyone else involved in the profits from your slander in
court. So before you start gloating over your ability to generate my ire I
suggest you share this little commentary with your coconspirators. I would
also suggest that you not underestimate my ability, resources, or
motivation to pursue this litigation in a most effective manner.


Sincerely,

Justin Petersen
Agent Steal "The FBI's Hacker" (run amuck) asteal@primus.net