Metropolitan Digest / LOS ANGELES COUNTY NEWS IN BRIEF LOS ANGELES

Computer Hacker Accused of Unfairly Winning Prizes

Los Angeles Times (LT) - FRIDAY April 23, 1993
Edition: Home Edition
Section: Metro
Page: 2  Pt. B  Col. 4
Story Type: Column; Brief Word Count: 152


A Los Angeles man was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday for hacking
into computer systems so he could rig promotional radio contests and
compromise law enforcement investigations.

Kevin L. Poulsen, 27, also was charged with wiretapping and obstructing
justice. Through the use of computers, Poulsen and two other men rigged
promotional contests on three radio stations and fraudulently won two
Porsche automobiles, $22,000 in cash and two trips to Hawaii, according to
the indictment prepared by Asst. U.S. Attorney David J. Schindler.

Poulsen faces a maximum of 100 years in prison and $4.75 million in fines.

Poulsen's two co-conspirators, Ronald M. Austin, 29, and Justin T. Petersen,
32, who were about to be indicted, pleaded guilty Wednesday to several
charges, including computer fraud, for their roles in the scheme, Schindler
said. The prosecutor said Austin and Petersen have agreed to cooperate with
the FBI in an ongoing investigation of computer-related crimes.