Crime & Safety
Northbrook Company's Former IT Manager Leaked Emails, Damaged Servers: Indictment
George Turner indicted on seven counts after allegedly "using skills" to hurt former employer.
An unidentified Northbrook company fell victim to a former employee allegedly intercepting and disclosing company e-mail content without authorization and severely damaging its computer servers.
Prosecutors announced this week a seven-count indictment by a federal grand jury against George N. Turner, 50, of Vernon Hills - the company’s former information technology manager.
Turner, whose alleged crimes occurred from April to July of last year after he left the company in March, faces charges of one count of computer fraud, two counts of illegal wire interceptions and four counts of disclosing information obtained from illegal wire interceptions.
According to an FBI news release, beginning in April, Turner allegedly intercepted the company e-mail accounts of two of the victim company’s executives. On May 12, he allegedly accessed and caused significant damage to some of the victim company’s servers. Then in July, he allegedly sent multiple e-mails containing information he obtained from the victim company’s executives’ e-mail accounts. In four separate e-mails, Turner allegedly sent to other persons the victim company’s payroll information, executive bonus information, and pricing information.
“This defendant used his skills to cause significant damage to his former employer, and illegally to obtain private information. Cybercrime hurts companies and their employees, and we will prosecute those responsible,” said Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney.
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+ List My BusinessThe computer fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Each of the illegal wire interception counts carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
Turner will appear for an arraignment before Judge Feinerman on April 21 in U.S. District Court.
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