Ex-Contractor Charged With Hacking Into W.W. Grainger Computers

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago man got into the computer servers of Lake Forest-based W.W. Grainger and damaged them last year, according to federal prosecutors. Edward Soybel, 34, of Chicago, was arrested Wednesday following his indictment by a federal grand jury on 10 counts of intentionally causing damage to protected computers, one count of attempting to cause damage to protected computers and one count of attempting to access a protected computer without authorization.

Soybell was a contractor who worked with computers at Grainger's Niles facility between November 2014 and February 2016, according to his indictment. After he was terminated in February, his password and login credentials were deactivated.

Feds say on nine occasions over the course of four days in July 2016, Soybel hacked into Grainger's servers and did at least $5,000 worth of damage.

According to his indictment, his duties involved maintaining servers connected to automatic dispensing machines, which were accessible remotely through a web-based login. His one count of attempted to damage a computer relates to an incident on Sept. 4.

Prosecutors have not disclosed how Soybel allegedly damaged the computers, and the U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago has not responded to a query about the case.

Each charge of intentionally damaging to protected computers and attempting to cause damage is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Attempting to access a protected computer without authorization carries a maximum sentence of one year, according to the Department of Justice.

According to an online resume, Soybel was a systems analyst at Grainger, where he provided support for the company's Cribmaster robotic vending system and its onside service specialist correspondent. It lists him as a current employee of a Palatine-based automotive firm.

Soybel pleaded not guilty Wednesday. He was released on an undisclosed bond Thursday, according to court records.

_{Top photo: Edward Soybel 2017 booking photograph | Chicago PD}