Programmer who sabotaged city computer network seeks $3 million in damages
In July, 2008, a San Francisco computer engineer created havoc with the network that he had created for the city’s computers to communicate with each other. Terry Childs tampered with the network that handled 60% of the city’s electronic information, including sensitive records for law enforcement and payroll. It is alleged that the city employee had recently been disciplined and was facing termination.
After creating a password giving himself exclusive access to the system, Childs locked out top administrators, provided bogus passwords to police, and rigged the system to suffer a meltdown during a scheduled power shutdown. While other city employees discovered the impairment in time to prevent a meltdown, over the following week San Francisco spent about $1.5 million for outside consultants who attempted to regain system access.
Finally, after being jailed for eight days, Childs disclosed the correct passwords to Mayor Gavin Newsom. Childs, who remains in jail, was charged with four felony counts of tampering with a computer network, denying access to other authorized users, and causing more than $200,000 in losses.
Last month, in a textbook example of chutzpah, Childs filed a $3 million claim against San Francisco for violating his civil rights. The 44 year-old saboteur claims that his arrest and suspension were based on a false allegation. According to the San Francisco Examiner, attorney Richard Shikman argues that his client “never intended to harm the system, but may not have followed department protocol.” The claim is for $1 million each for economic damages, emotional distress, and attorney fees. The city has denied the claim (Duh!), calling it “completely without merit,” and Childs is expected to respond with a lawsuit.
Someone should file a counter suit seeking 5 minutes alone in a room with this tool…
Comment by Scott Jacobs (who wants DRJ to come back) — 2/4/2009 @ 9:53 pm
In all fairness, as I understand it, the circumstances of the demands placed on him by his superiors were rather suspicious – or at least totally incompetent. His actions were to protect the structure of and data on the network – sensitive data – from being made public. Of course, the idiot judge decided to put it all on the public record and probably set back the computer system in San Fran by months, if not years.
While what Childs did was ill-advised, and probably illegal, I have great sympathy for his position. He was rather mistreated through the whole ordeal, and a media that has no clue what the situation even meant decided to paint him a villain – so if he gets a few bucks out of the city that screwed him, I’ll be happy for it.
Comment by Dan G. — 2/4/2009 @ 9:53 pm
I heard that San Francisco waterboarded him until he talked.
Comment by Kevin Murphy — 2/5/2009 @ 12:20 am
I think the guy ought to be put in the public stocks like Puritan New England.
Instead of rotten vegetables being thrown at him, can you imagine what the gays would do to a defenseless piece of new meat?
Comment by PCD — 2/5/2009 @ 6:08 am
Wow.
Comment by Leviticus — 2/5/2009 @ 11:51 am
That’s a “wow” directed at PCD, by the way, although the guy in the story is stupid too.
Comment by Leviticus — 2/5/2009 @ 11:52 am
6, It isn’t Cruel AND Unusual punishment. Are you saying gay love is Cruel? Are you saying it is unusual? Being put into public stock isn’t unusual as it was a common punishment. So what is your wow about Leviticus?
Remember, unless you are ruling from your feelings instead of the written law and existing precedents, a sentence has to be BOTH Cruel AND Unusual, not either or.
Comment by PCD — 2/5/2009 @ 12:05 pm
I would wager the “wow” was due to the fact that you suggested he might get anally raped by the gay community just because he’s there, as if they have no restraint.
And if that is indeed how he meant it, then I share his sentiment, and that was pretty much my reaction too…
It was tasteless, and just all around in very poor humor.
Comment by Scott Jacobs (who wants DRJ to come back) — 2/5/2009 @ 2:48 pm
Bingo.
Comment by Leviticus — 2/6/2009 @ 8:08 am
8,9, Let me ask you this. Do either of you think if said person was put in the stocks on Castro, do you think it could or would happen? Sort of like letting prisoners know a certain inmate abused a child. IT HAPPENS! If they have a reputation for lack of self control, don’t you both think that they may just have earned it from incident after incident?
Comment by PCD — 2/6/2009 @ 9:00 am
Do any of you remember Arsenio Hall’s talk show? Do you remember what caused the downfall of the show? Let me remind you. One of Hall’s producers was gay. He was casting actors for a skit called “The Buttmaster”. This producer wasn’t content at just viewing casting candidates, he had to demean and to lay hands on them.
You tell me. Has the population of San Francisco not amply demonstrated that when it comes to self control, that they have none?
Comment by PCD — 2/6/2009 @ 9:08 am
Yeah… Stop talking…
You are supposing a condition that does not exist.
Comment by Scott Jacobs (who wants DRJ to come back) — 2/7/2009 @ 10:01 am