Census Bureau Says 11.5 Million Gulf Coast Residents in Path of Gustav

The U.S. Census Bureau today estimated that more than 11.5 million Gulf Coast residents, stretching from the Florida panhandle to Southern Texas, could be affected by Hurricane Gustav.

According to the storm's five day projected track, the Census Bureau calculated that the storm could impact more than 68,000 square miles of coastline.

Although no watches or warnings are currently in effect for the United States, preparations in New Orleans area are already underway, a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, which hit three years ago today. According to population estimates released this year, New Orleans' population rose by 13.8 percent in 2007, making it the fastest growing large city in the nation. Among the potentially vulnerable in New Orleans are the 20 percent of the population living in poverty and 13 percent who are 65 years and older, according to Census Bureau estimates. Also, 17 percent of the occupied homes are without access to a vehicle.
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FBI Alert: Hit Man E-Mail Scam Persists

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its partner, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), continue to receive thousands of reports concerning the hit man e-mail scheme. The e-mail content has evolved since late 2006; however, the messages remain similar in nature, claiming the sender has been hired to kill the recipient.

Two new versions of the scheme began appearing in July 2008. One instructed the recipient to contact a telephone number contained in the e-mail and the other claimed the recipient or a “loved one” was going to be kidnapped unless a ransom was paid. Recipients of the kidnapping threat were told to respond via e-mail within 48 hours. The sender was to provide the location of the wire transfer five minutes before the deadline and was threatened with bodily harm if the ransom was not received within 30 minutes of the time frame given. The recipients’ personally identifiable information (PII) was included in the e-mail to promote the appearance that the sender actually knew the recipient and their location.

Perpetrators of Internet crimes often use fictitious names, addresses, telephone numbers, and threats or warnings regarding the failure to comply to further their schemes.

In some instances, the use of names, titles, addresses, and telephone numbers of government officials and business executives, and/or the victims’ PII are used in an attempt to make the fraud appear more authentic.

Unfortunately, these hit man e-mail scams are still circulating and evolving throughout the Internet. Don’t get ‘knocked off’ by these cyber criminals who are trying everything they can to access your money and personal information. Instead, protect yourself by reporting any messages you get to the FBI through the IC3 at www.IC3.gov,” said Special Agent Richard Kolko, Chief, National Press Office, Washington, D.C.

Below are links for the two previous public service announcements published by the IC3 concerning the hit man scheme:

* http://www.ic3.gov/media/2007/070109.aspx

* http://www.ic3.gov/media/2006/061207.aspx

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Top Ten Fugitive Michael Jason Registe Captured in St. Maarten

Registe, wanted for the July, 2007 double murders of Columbus State University students Bryan Kilgore and Randy Newton Jr. at Columbus, Georgia, was arrested by St. Maarten Police officials in conjunction with the Antilles Director of Public Prosecution and through coordination with the FBI's Legal Attaché, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Numerous tips were received by the FBI after the airing of an America's Most Wanted television segment featuring Registe. That ultimately led local St. Maarten authorities to the Belvedere section of Dutch St. Maarten where Registe was arrested at approximately 11:10 this morning, August 27, 2008, while at a guest house. SWAT entry was made and Registe was taken into custody without further incident.

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Army Rangers Sentenced for Conspiring to Rob Drug Traffickers

CARLOS LOPEZ, 30, and DAVID RAY WHITE, 32, both activeduty soldiers from Camp Frank D. Merrill, a United States Army Ranger mountain training facility in Dahlonega, Georgia, were sentenced today for their roles in a conspiracy to rob a cocaine dealer at gunpoint. LOPEZ, the leader of the conspiracy, received a term of three years in federal prison; WHITE was ordered to serve two years in federal prison. Co-conspirators STEFAN ANDRE CHAMPAGNE and RANDY SPIVEY are scheduled to be sentenced for their roles in the scheme in September.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “This is a sad day. Soldiers who were willing to give their lives for this country are now convicted felons who will spend many months behind bars. Hopefully they have learned from their illegal and misguided actions.”

“These men were prepared to commit serious acts of gun-related violence on U.S. soil,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory K. Gant of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Atlanta Field Division. “Their intentions and actions could have resulted in far greater tragedy. As one defendant aptly admitted, they have fallen from the ranks of the elite, to the depths of convicted felons.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court:

In November of 2007, LOPEZ and an unindicted co-conspirator began to meet with a cooperating source and an undercover agent to discuss the possibility of robbing a cocaine stash house of at least 25 kilograms of cocaine. LOPEZ and his army colleagues were to provide the weapons and force necessary to subdue the occupants of the stash house. Later, co-defendant CHAMPAGNE joined in the meetings. Finally, in January 2008, coconspirators WHITE and SPIVEY accompanied LOPEZ and CHAMPAGNE to a final planning session with the undercover agent, when the logistics of the assault on the stash house were confirmed. These meetings were all surreptitiously recorded.

On January 24, 2008, LOPEZ, WHITE, and CHAMPAGNE, equipped with gloves, ski masks, handguns and an assault rifle, assembled at the rendezvous point, ostensibly to set out for the armed assault on the stash house. They were taken into custody and later admitted to all elements of the conspiracy. SPIVEY had stayed behind at Camp Merrill to “cover” for his co-conspirators’ absence to their superior officers.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Further assistance was provided by the Sandy Springs Police Department's Tactical Special Operations Group.

Assistant United States Attorneys Zahra Karinshak and Robert McBurney are prosecuting this case.

Governor Perdue Declares State of Emergency in Seven Counties

Governor Sonny Perdue issued an Executive Order today declaring a State of Emergency for seven counties impacted by a severe weather system generated by Tropical Storm Fay delivering torrential rainfall throughout the southern region of the state. The emergency declaration covers Baker, Charlton, Grady, Miller, Thomas, Decatur and Seminole counties and allows state resources to be used to assist these local governments.

“While we are very fortunate to not have witnessed the full extent of Tropical Storm Fay, there has been considerable damage to roads, homes and farmland,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Our goal is to assist these counties with state equipment and personnel in order to handle extensive repairs.”

The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) has been in the process of evaluating damages and will be coordinating assistance with local road supervisors in the declared counties. In addition, the Georgia Office of Homeland Security-Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) has dispatched representatives to ensure that personnel and equipment resources of the state of Georgia be made available to assist in the response and recovery activities currently being undertaken and that the Georgia Emergency Management Agency activate the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan.

GEMA is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities. For additional emergency information and updates, contact GEMA at 1-800-TRY-GEMA (1-800-879-4362) or visit the agency’s Web site at www.gema.state.ga.us.

Text of the Executive Order is provided below:

Whereas: On August 20th through the 23rd, 2008, Tropical Storm Fay moved through the southern region of the State producing excessive rainfall which caused extensive flooding and the closure of numerous roads in Baker, Charlton, Grady, Miller and Thomas Counties; and flooding is imminent in Decatur and Seminole Counties; and

Whereas: The rural network of local roads have been rendered impassable in many areas in these impacted counties, isolating residences and farms from access to essential public services; this threat continues for communities in Decatur and Seminole Counties; and

Whereas: State assistance is necessary to protect the public health, preserve the safety of the public, keep property damage to a minimum, and restore the social and economic welfare of these counties.

Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby

Ordered: That a State of Emergency exists in Baker, Charlton, Decatur, Grady, Miller, Seminole and Thomas Counties.

It is further

Ordered: That personnel and equipment resources of the State of Georgia be made available to assist in the response and recovery activities currently being undertaken in the above mentioned counties, and that the Georgia Emergency Management Agency activate the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan.

This 27th day of August, 2008.



___________________________
Governor
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After-School Online Safety from InternetSafety.com: 10 ‘Home Alone’ Tips for Working Parents

BUSINESS WIRE --With the school year just starting, working parents may breathe a sigh of relief that the children are safely back in school for the next nine months, but what happens after 3 pm when the kids are home alone with unsupervised computer access? For many parents, these are the danger hours when children are most likely to visit inappropriate websites and are also most vulnerable to Internet predators. In these cases as well as when parents are home, Internet filtering software can serve as a virtual online babysitter.

InternetSafety.com, developer of the award-winning Safe Eyes™ parental control software (www.SafeEyes.com), recommends that parents select a software program with advanced controls and alert mechanisms for managing website access as well as social network postings, email correspondents, instant messenger usage and peer-to-peer file sharing programs. Choose a program that allows you to:

1. Block objectionable websites by category, URL and/or keyword — You should be able to select which website categories will be filtered (adult, alcohol, dating/personals, drugs, gambling, hate sites, pornography, profanity, sex, violence, weapons, etc.) so that kids can’t reach sites in those areas. The more categories you can dictate, the better. You should also be able to define specific websites and/or keywords that are off limits.

2. Set time limits — Some programs allow you to limit time spent online, allocate specific blocks of time for Internet access, and/or grant permission to connect by the day of the week. Limiting late-night Internet use, for example, can help safeguard children against predators inclined to night-time prowling of social networking sites and chat rooms.

3. Block as well as record Instant Messenger chats — You should have the option to bar children from using specific IM programs or all of them. (You might want to keep one available for communicating with your children yourself.) You should also have the option to save the full text of IM conversations for later review.

4. Block computer programs by name — It can be useful to prevent access to certain games as well as peer-to-peer file sharing programs like BitTorrent that may expose children to inappropriate photos or other objectionable material.

5. Restrict email use to designated addresses — There is no reason for younger children to correspond with anyone other than family members, close friends and perhaps teachers.

6. Receive email, text or phone alerts about inappropriate online behavior — Some programs are able to alert parents when children attempt to access restricted websites or post personal information such as their name and address on social networks.

7. Remotely change program settings from work or elsewhere — If you receive automated alerts about worrisome online behavior or concern from a caregiver, it is helpful to be able to reconfigure the program from your office or hotel room.

8. Receive automatic updates of website blacklists – This eliminates the need for parents to download database updates manually, saving considerable time and ensuring that objectionable new websites don’t slip through the cracks.

9. Handle multiple children with one program and customize settings for each child – Your 8-year-old may need stricter controls than your 11-year-old. You should be able to create separate profiles for each child and use them on any machine in the house.

10. Control PCs and Macs with the same filtering software – This simplifies the process of maintaining a safe online environment in households with computer with both operating systems.

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More on National Preparedness Month from the SBA

September is National Preparedness Month

Recent floods in the Midwest and hurricanes/tropical storms in Texas and Florida have cost homeowners, renters and businesses millions of dollars in damages. These events serve as reminders to the public to have a disaster preparedness plan in place.

National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is designed to enhance the public’s awareness of the necessity of having an emergency plan in place to respond to a natural or man-made disaster. The U.S. Small Business Administration is one of the many government and private sector coalition partners participating in this fifth annual National Preparedness Month.

“There’s a tendency – and it’s human nature – to think that a large-scale disaster is not going to happen where you live,” said SBA Acting Administrator Sandy K. Baruah. “Accepting the inevitability of an emergency, and then taking responsibility for your own recovery are the necessary first steps toward protecting your family, your assets, and your community.”

To prepare for disasters, SBA offers the following tips:

· Develop a solid emergency response plan. Find evacuation routes from the home or business and establish meeting places. Make sure everyone understands the plan beforehand. Keep emergency phone numbers handy. Business owners should designate a contact person to communicate with other employees, customers and vendors. Individuals and business owners should ask an out-of-state friend, colleague or family member to be a “post-disaster” point of contact, supporting the flow of information about short-term relocations, recovery, additional sources of assistance, etc.

· Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Disaster preparedness begins with having adequate insurance coverage – at least enough to rebuild your home or business. Homeowners and business owners should review their policies to see what is or isn’t covered. Businesses should consider “business interruption insurance,” which helps cover operating costs during the post-disaster shutdown period. Flood insurance is essential. To find out more about the National Flood Insurance Program, visit the Web site at www.floodsmart.gov.

· Copy important records. It’s a good idea to back up vital records and information saved on computer hard drives, and store that information at a distant offsite location. Computer data should be backed up routinely. Copies of important documents and CDs should be stored in fire-proof safe deposit boxes.

· Create a “Disaster Survival Kit.” The kit should include a flashlight, a portable radio, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, non-perishable packaged and canned food, bottled water, a basic tool kit, plastic bags, cash, and a digital camera to take pictures of the property damage after the storm.

More preparedness tips for businesses, homeowners and renters are available on the SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/disasterpreparedness/index.html. The Institute for Business and Home Safety (www.ibhs.org ) also has information on protecting your home or business. To learn more about developing an emergency plan, visit the DHS’s Ready Campaign Web site at www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY to receive free materials.

The SBA makes low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and non-farm businesses of all sizes. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged real estate. Individuals may borrow up to $40,000 to cover losses to personal property.

Non-farm businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged business assets and real property. Small businesses that suffered economic losses as a direct result of the declared disaster may apply for a working capital loan up to $2 million, even if the property was not physically damaged.

To learn more about the SBA’s disaster assistance program, visit the Web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/index.html.
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Bush Proclaims September as National Preparedness Month

GPSN Note: Peachtree City urges its citizens to be prepared. Let's all do our part in Fayette County and in the rest of Georgia to be ready for any emergency. This week's rain as the remnants of Fay has come through our area has underscored the need to be prepared.

During National Preparedness Month, we underscore the important responsibility Americans have to be ready for emergencies in our homes, businesses, and communities.

The Department of Homeland Security's Ready campaign highlights preparedness steps, including having an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, and becoming informed about different types of emergencies. After preparing themselves and their families, Americans can take the next step and get involved in helping to prepare their communities for all types of emergencies. For more information, citizens may visit www.ready.gov and citizencorps.gov.

During National Preparedness Month, we also honor our Nation's police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel for their hard work and commitment to protecting others. As first responders, they have demonstrated the true meaning of heroism by taking great risks to safeguard our communities, and all Americans are grateful for their efforts.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2008 as National Preparedness Month. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the importance of preparing for potential emergencies and to observe this month by participating in appropriate events, activities, and preparedness programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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Gwinnett Correctional Officer Awarded Medal of Valor

The first Medal of Valor in the history of the Gwinnett County Department of Corrections was awarded to Senior Correctional Officer Amiziah Smith III recently for his life-saving actions following an automobile accident in February.

Officer Smith was driving his prison work detail bus along Indian Trail Road near Oakbrook Parkway on February 25, 2008 when he witnessed an automobile accident. One of the cars in the accident struck a guardrail, returned to the roadway and caught fire. After securing his vehicle, Officer Smith rushed to the aid of two occupants within the burning car. The driver was able to escape after Smith forced open the driver’s door. The passenger was injured and was unable to move on her own. At great personal risk, Officer Smith went to the other side of the car, freed the passenger and carried her to safety. He then used his vehicle’s fire extinguisher and along with another officer, extinguished the fire preventing further property loss.

In a memorandum recommending Smith for the award, Smith’s supervisor, Lieutenant Scott Pickens stated “You immediately addressed security issues with your inmates, rendered assistance without regard for your own safety and continued to work to save the loss of property. Congratulations on a job well done. In my opinion, heroes are few and far between. I’m proud to say that I work with one.”

For his efforts, Officer Smith was awarded the Department’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor. This was the first time in the Department’s 50 plus years of existence that a Valor award has been given. Criteria for receiving the Medal of Valor award requires the employee perform “A conspicuous act of gallantry or heroism while risking life or serious injury above and beyond the call of duty and such act shall be performed in extremely hazardous or dangerous conditions.”
Officer Smith is a four-year veteran with the Gwinnett County Department of Corrections and is assigned to the Field Operations Unit.
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September is National Preparedness Month; Governor's Statement & State Support

September marks the 5th Annual National Preparedness Month, and Ready Georgia is reminding Georgians that it is the perfect time to prepare for emergencies. Governor Sonny Perdue will proclaim September as Preparedness Month in Georgia during a ceremony on Aug. 28, and Ready Georgia, a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, is encouraging Georgians to plan, prepare and stay informed about potential threats during the national observation.

“National Preparedness Month creates an opportunity for every Georgian to learn more about ways to prepare for all types of emergencies,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Emergency preparedness is the responsibility of every Georgian. We can take a few simple steps - creating a disaster supply kit, making a family disaster plan and staying informed – to help make citizen preparedness a priority in every community.”

National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready America campaign, is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action to prepare for emergencies. Last year, 1,800 National Preparedness Month Coalition Members worked to create a culture of emergency preparedness in the United States by hosting at least 1,000 events and initiatives during and around September.

“Get an emergency kit, make a communications plan, be informed about the different types of emergencies and their appropriate responses, and get involved,” said Charley English, director of GEMA and Homeland Security. “National Preparedness Month serves as a good reminder that we all have a responsibility in protecting ourselves, our families and our communities. Ready Georgia recommends that everyone have enough emergency supplies on hand to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours following an emergency.”

To provide residents of Georgia with detailed emergency preparedness information, Ready Georgia has created a comprehensive Web site, ready.ga.gov, supported by the Georgia Department of Human Resources – Division of Public Health.

“The site’s newest feature enables individuals and families to create customized Ready kit checklists and communications plans,” said Lee Smith, emergency preparedness director for the Division of Public Health. “Emergencies can be devastating for those unprepared, so we are offering a simple tool to help citizens protect themselves and their loved ones.”

By visiting ready.ga.gov, citizens can get information on how to prepare for natural and manmade disasters or pandemic outbreaks. There is also an online toolkit to help individuals, businesses or organizations develop and promote their own National Preparedness Month event or activity.

Many groups have already committed to supporting the effort throughout the state. On Sept. 6, The Home Depot, a Ready Georgia sponsor, will promote preparedness awareness at its monthly Saturday Kids Workshop at all Georgia store locations. Each child attending will receive a Ready Kids activity book featuring personal preparedness testimonial from Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli to tie in with the event’s football-themed craft. More events from around the state can be found on the Ready Georgia Web site’s community calendar.

For more information about the Ready Georgia campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit ready.ga.gov.
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The Peachtree City Police Department is forming a K-9 unit!

The Peachtree City Police Department always aspires to provide the best service possible to its citizens through the use of progressive policing techniques and equipment. The addition of a K-9 program would be a welcome crime-fighting tool for the Department, as well as an asset to the community.

Ways a K-9 unit benefits the community:

Narcotics Detection
• Probable cause to search vehicles / major deterrent to bringing in drugs
• Sweeps of school lockers and parking lots / deterrent to drugs in our schools
• Residential searches for well-hidden drugs or paraphernalia
• Package searches / Peachtree City has a parcel distribution center and an airport

Tracking / Searches
• K-9s track fleeing suspects
• K-9s can help find lost or missing children
• K-9s work quickly and effectively in clearing large buildings

Officer Safety / Crime Deterrence
• A K-9 obeys commands to assist during physical confrontations
• A K-9’s presence often deters confrontations and fleeing suspects

Public Relations
• Public appearances and K-9 demonstrations at community events
• Guest “speakers” for DARE classes, Citizen’s Police Academy classes, and other
events as requested

The start-up cost for two K-9s, training, and equipment is $40,000. Panasonic’s donation of $13,000 to kick-off the fundraising effort is greatly appreciated. You can help provide this valuable resource to Peachtree City’s crime-fighting front line!

Contributions are tax deductible
Donations accepted at Peachtree City Police Department—Attn: K-9 Program
Make checks payable to City of Peachtree City

The Peachtree City Police Department and FACTOR (Fayette Alliance Coordinating Teamwork Outreach and Resources), the Fayette Family Connection Collaborative, have joined together to bring community awareness to this need and coordinate fundraising opportunities. Previously, they coordinated resources to form the Fayette Meth Task Force to educate the community about a frightening plague. Now they are eager to spread the word on this new program as well.

READ BELOW TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Becky Smith
FACTOR Executive Director
bsmith719@bellsouth.net
Cell: 404-291-1602
PO Box 142518
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Sgt. Matt Myers
Peachtree City Police Department
mmyers@ptcgovernment.org
Work: 770-487-8866 ext. 1334
Cell: 678-858-9193
2011 N. Commerce Dr.
Peachtree City, GA 30269
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Adairsville Man Pleads Guilty in Child Pornography Case

ERALD WAYNE ANDERSON, 63, of Adairsville, Georgia, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Robert L. Vining, Jr. to one count of receipt of child pornography.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, “This defendant posed as a young girl on the internet, one of many deceptions used by sexual predators who try to reach and exploit our children through the computers in our homes. Thanks to coordinated law enforcement work across state lines, this defendant is pleading guilty and faces a long sentence in federal prison.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias, and other information presented in court: In October 2007, the defendant engaged in an internet chat with an undercover police officer from the Broward County (Florida) Sheriff's Office. The defendant was posing as a 13-year-old girl. Approximately within 3 minutes of beginning the chat, the defendant began discussing modeling pictures with the undercover officer. The defendant sent the undercover officer a number of photographs over the internet of a young girl (which the defendant was claiming to be) engaged in various poses. Many of the photographs showed the girl in nude poses.

In November 2007, an undercover police officer from the Bensalem (Pennsylvania) Police Department was chatting online, and the defendant contacted her, again posing as a 13-year-old girl, but this time with a different name. Again, the defendant sent over the internet a number of "modeling photographs," which included many of the same pictures sent the previous month.

The local police officers issued subpoenas for the defendant's e-mail addresses and learned that he resided in Adairsville, Georgia. The case was then referred to the FBI, and on February 19, 2008, law enforcement officers executing search warrants found thousands of images of child pornography kept in briefcases and meticulously organized and labeled. These images showed girls under the age of 12 engaging in sexually explicit conduct. After waiving his Miranda rights, the defendant admitted to receiving and collecting child pornography.

Sentencing for ANDERSON is set for October 9, 2008, at 10 a.m. before Judge Vining. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with invaluable assistance provided by the Broward County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office, and the Bensalem (Pennsylvania) Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul Jones is prosecuting the case.

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Clayton County Police Officer Pleads Guilty in Obscenity Case

CASEY AUSTIN CARMICHAEL, 29, of Newnan, Georgia, pleaded guilty today (August 14, 2008) in federal district court to a one count Criminal Information, charging that defendant CARMICHAEL knowingly attempted to transfer obscene matter on the Internet to a person under the age of 16.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, “It is a sad day when a police officer or any public official misuses the trust of the citizens by using public resources to transfer pornographic material to a child. The actions of this officer should not negatively reflect upon the vast majority of law abiding officers and officials who work tirelessly in our community, including those officers who caught this defendant.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: In September 2007, CARMICHAEL, while on duty as a Patrolman with the Clayton County Police Department, used his Department-issued computer to transfer obscene materials to a person CARMICHAEL believed to be girl under 16 years of age. CARMICHAEL had contacted her in a “chat room” on the Internet, and had conversations with her relating to obscene materials over several days while on duty as a Patrolman. The underage girl was actually an FBI Agent working undercover with the Project Safe Childhood Task Force. CARMICHAEL was dismissed from the Clayton County Police Department upon his indictment in this case.

Sentencing for CARMICHAEL is scheduled for October 16, 2008, at 2 p.m. before United States District Judge Willis Hunt. The defendant has agreed to a binding plea in this case of 2 years, 9 months in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and its Project Safe Childhood Task Force.

Assistant United States Attorney David E. McClernan is prosecuting the case.

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FAA Seeks Penalties Against American Airlines for Deferred Maintenance, Other Violations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today (August 14, 2008) announced actions totaling $7.1 million in civil penalties against American Airlines for improperly deferring maintenance on safety-related equipment and deficiencies with its drug and alcohol testing programs and exit lighting inspections.

The FAA asserts that in December 2007, American used the wrong provisions of its Minimum Equipment List (MEL) to return two MD-83 aircraft to service after pilots had reported problems, and flew the planes 58 times in violation of FAA regulations. The MEL contains components and systems without which the aircraft may operate safely under specific limitations, as proven by the operator or manufacturer.

On December 11 and 12, American operated the first MD-83 on eight flights in airspace it should have been restricted from after maintenance on part of the autopilot system was improperly deferred. An FAA inspector discovered the improper deferral and informed the airline, however American flew the plane on 10 more revenue flights until the problem was fixed on December 17.

In another incident, the autopilot disconnected during a landing by the same aircraft on December 21. American technicians did not check for the actual problem, and instead deferred maintenance using an inappropriate MEL item. The plane flew another 36 passenger-carrying flights during December 21-31. Airline maintenance later discovered the fault was in a radio altimeter – not the autopilot.

For the violations involving this MD-83, the FAA is proposing a $4.1 million civil penalty.

A different MD-83 experienced an autopilot disconnect on December 27. Although American mechanics correctly diagnosed the problem, they again deferred maintenance under the wrong item of the MEL. As a result, the aircraft operated on four revenue flights without a fully functioning autopilot. The FAA is proposing a $325,000 civil penalty in this instance.

The FAA believes the large total amount of the fine for these violations is appropriate because American Airlines was aware that appropriate repairs were needed, and instead deferred maintenance. In intentionally continuing to fly the aircraft, the carrier did not follow important safety regulations intended to protect passengers and crew.

Also, in May of this year the FAA proposed civil penalties in the amount of $2.7 million in civil penalties against American for alleged past deficiencies in its drug and alcohol testing programs and for allegedly operating aircraft in past years without timely inspections of emergency escape path lighting systems. The amount included $1.7 million civil penalty for the testing program violations and $1 million for the lighting inspection violations.

American Airlines will have the opportunity to respond to the proposed civil penalties.

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SPECIAL REPORT: The Coming Cyberwar

ZATZ Publishing, in partnership with The Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security International, today announced the publication of our latest Special Report, Digital Defense: The Coming Cyberwar.

According to the report, authored by David Gewirtz, ZATZ Editor-in-Chief, Cyberterrorism Advisor to the the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, and a columnist for The Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security International, when it comes to a future cyberwar, the issue is no longer if it'll happen. Instead, the concern is when it'll happen, how bad it'll be, and how many attacks we'll have to withstand.

Cyberwar is inevitable. From the perspective of our enemies, waging a cyberwar is just too easy and too effective to ignore. Put bluntly, a cyberwar has an excellent ROI (Return on Investment).

As you probably know, Russia has attacked Georgia (Tblisi, not Atlanta) with tanks and troops. However, before the physical attack, there was a cyberattack against many of Georgia's online resources. First indications seemed to imply the cyberattack originated as a Russian offensive, while later analysis by some sources dispute that, claiming that "script kiddies" are behind the assault.

Regardless of how the attack was initiated, a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS) crippled some of Georgia's key government and financial resources. The Georgia incident reinforces the reluctant conclusion of the report: cyberwar is coming.

David's 2,949 word Special Report explores the following issues:

* Traditional war is more like a bullet to the chest. Cyberwar is like a cancer -- just as dangerous and deadly, but far more torturous over the long term. And like cancer, we've yet to find a cure for cyberwar.

* How we've seen early attacks already, from the Georgian attack to a suspected Chinese attack that may have impacted the power grid for more than 50 million Americans.

* How, unlike traditional war and even terrorism, cyberattacks aren't going to be initiated just by digitally-capable terrorist organizations like al-Qa'idah and known nation-state enemies like Iran and North Korea. Individual companies and even just bored computer users are also going to be initiating devastating attacks.

* How easy such an attack might be. In 2005, three young men (age 19, 22, and 27) from the Netherlands created a botnet consisting of 1.5 million compromised computers, all engaged in coordinated cyberattacks. They had quickly created a network with the computational capacity at least five times greater than any supercomputer on the planet -- a feat virtually any other attacker could also accomplish.

* How the barrier of entry to a cyber-weapon of mass destruction is incredibly low. According to CNN, the U.S. spent a minimum of $5,821 billion on nuclear weapons programs. While a cyberattack is unlikely to cause the loss of life of a hydrogen bomb, our enemies need to spend merely $314 to deploy a weapons system that may have an even greater reach than a nuclear warhead in terms of overall infrastructure and economic damage.

Finally, the report shows that what makes cyberwar such a potent threat, though, is the economic implications. Not only can a cyberwar damage enemies, unlike virtually ever other war-fighting modality, a well-run cyberwar can also become a profit center through activities like organized identity theft.

David Gewirtz has written more than 600 articles about technology, competitiveness, and national security policy. He is the Cyberterrorism Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism & Security Professionals, a columnist for The Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security, and has been a guest commentator for the Nieman Watchdog of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.

David is a former professor of computer science, has lectured at Princeton, Berkeley, UCLA, and Stanford, has been awarded the prestigious Sigma Xi Research Award in Engineering, and was a candidate for the 2008 Pulitzer Prize in Letters. He is the author of four books including Where Have All The Emails Gone? and The Flexible Enterprise.
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Georgia Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Sending Child Pornography over the Internet

MICHAEL J. GARCIA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GERALD ALAN HARRIS, 52, was sentenced today (August 11, 2008) by United States District Judge SIDNEY H. STEIN in Manhattan federal court to nine years in prison for transporting child pornography over the Internet. HARRIS pleaded guilty to the charges in November 2007. According to documents filed in the case and statements made during HARRIS’ guilty plea:

From June 22, 2007 to July 13, 2007, HARRIS, who lives in Georgia, engaged in several instant messaging “chats” on the Internet with individuals purporting to be a thirty-three-year-old mother in the Bronx and her twelve-year-old daughter. In fact, an undercover detective from the New York City Police Department was posing as both the mother and the daughter. During the course of these conversations, HARRIS sent the “mother” and “daughter” multiple images of child pornography, some of which depicted explicit sexual acts between minors and adults, via electronic mail. HARRIS also graphically described to the “mother” and “daughter” the sexual activities he planned to engage in with the “mother” and the “daughter” when they met in person.

HARRIS arranged to meet the “mother” and the “daughter” at a coffee shop in the Bronx on July 13, 2007. When HARRIS arrived at the prearranged location, he was arrested by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and members of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”).

Following HARRIS’s arrest, FBI agents executed a search warrant for HARRIS’s residence in Georgia. The agents seized computer equipment from which multiple images of child pornography were recovered.

In addition to the prison term, Judge STEIN sentenced HARRIS to five years of supervised release.

Mr. GARCIA praised the investigative work of FBI agents in New York and Georgia, and the NYPD. He also thanked the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation of this case.

Assistant United States Attorney CHRISTIAN R. EVERDELL is in charge of the prosecution.

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Auto Theft and Burglary Prevention Tips

By Bobby Hamil, director of Public Safety, Clayton State University

Everyone can minimize the chance of having their vehicles either stolen or burglarized. Everything from the location of the vehicle to human carelessness can contribute to a vehicle related incident. Here are some ways to avoid them.

Always try and park in well lighted, highly visible areas of parking lots. When exiting your vehicle, ensure it is locked and do not leave valuable items inside the vehicle, whether in plain view or in the trunk area. Items frequently left in vehicles include laptops, briefcases and purses. All of these are particularly attractive to thieves.

Any personal items that must be left in vehicles, such as removable stereos, etc., should include engraved identification or serial numbers for aid in recovery. Retain these numbers in a separate location for easy retrieval if needed.

Although we are still in the hottest time of the year, do not leave unattended vehicles with the engine and air conditioning running for any period of time. Investment in crime deterrent devices such as The Club, alarms, or kill switches may inconvenience potential thieves enough to look for easier targets, thus making your investment worth the expense.

The best prevention tip is to simply be aware, and promptly report any suspicious activity in parking lots to the nearest police. These reports should not just be limited to activities related to your vehicle, but anything or anyone that arouses your concern or curiosity.

The most common reasons for vehicle theft are: personal use; intent to use in commission of another crime; joyriding; chopping and selling the parts; and resale of the vehicle. Vehicles frequently stolen include Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Cherokee, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry (which I drive).

The bottom line is to just be aware of your surroundings when entering or exiting vehicles, and to promptly report anything of a suspicious nature to the police. Timeliness can be invaluable in the investigative response.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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Medical Supply Executive Imprisoned for Defrauding Medicare

ANGELA D. ISLEY, 44, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. to serve more than 5 years in prison on charges of health care fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. ISLEY was convicted of these charges on April 28, 2008, following a two week jury trial.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “The defendant submitted false claims to Medicare with a total value of more than $600,000, resulting in a loss to Medicare of $219,000. She also used her position at Orthoscript, Inc. to steal more than $360,000 from that company. Every dollar the defendant stole from the Medicare program was a dollar taken from the elderly and disabled Americans who depend on Medicare for their health care needs, and from the taxpayers who fund the program. The prison sentence imposed today reinforces the message that health care fraud is a serious crime with serious penalties.”

OIG Special Agent in Charge Melody Jackson said, “Today's action sends a message to those who corruptly take advantage of the Medicare system. The Office of Inspector General, Atlanta Regional Office will continue to work aggressively to eliminate this type of corruption in our health care system.”

ISLEY was sentenced to five years, ten months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $703,814. Judge Pannell said from the bench at today’s hearing that, partly because of extra costs incurred by the government retrieving hundreds of documents demanded by ISLEY during discovery that he is also ordering her to pay a fine of $125,000.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: Between January 2001 and December 2003, ISLEY knowingly assigned incorrect “product codes” to certain wrist braces and walking boots in Orthoscript Incorporated’s inventory in order to generate higher reimbursements from Medicare. ISLEY instructed company employees, often over their objections, to file claims with Medicare listing fraudulent product codes which are to be specifically used for custom-fabricated wrist braces, when all Orthoscript actually supplied were cheaper, prefabricated, off-the-shelf items. As a result of the health care fraud scheme, ISLEY caused Orthoscript to fraudulently bill the Medicare program for more than $600,000.

ISLEY's responsibilities at Orthoscript also included handling and accounting for ordinary business expenses, such as writing checks to vendors. Between April 2001 and April 2004, ISLEY wrote Orthoscript company checks to pay her and her partner's personal Capital One credit card bills, and used her sole control over Orthoscript's books to cause these payments, totaling more than $360,000, to be falsely recorded as legitimate business expenses. Orthoscript's officers and shareholders never authorized ISLEY to obtain reimbursement for these personal expenses.

A defendant in a related case, ARCH NELSON, 46, of Alpharetta, Georgia, who was a partner in Orthoscript, was sentenced late this afternoon to 5 years of probation, and ordered to perform 250 hours of community service, on a charge of misprision of felony, in knowing about and not reporting ISLEY’s crimes. NELSON had pleaded guilty to the charge in October 2006 and testified against ISLEY at her trial.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorneys Glenn D. Baker and John Horn prosecuted the case.

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Peachtree City Police Department and the Community Emergency Response Team Supports Ready Georgia Initiative

In January 2008, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) unveiled Georgia’s new statewide emergency preparedness campaign. Ready Georgia provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign, which aims to motivate Georgians to take action to prepare for a disaster.

Ready Georgia is supported by the Georgia Department of Human Resources – Division of Public Health, the Ad Council, The Home Depot and volunteer organizations to engage the public and effect change. In Peachtree City, the Police Department and its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will utilize the Ready Georgia tools to encourage local citizens to prepare, plan and stay informed about emergency preparedness.

“Preparedness is an important issue for every resident of Peachtree City,” said H.C. “Skip” Clark II, Chief of Police. “The Police Department and our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) call on residents of all ages to take responsibility for their own readiness and preparedness. Our organization will be here to provide information on a local level to achieve the state’s goal of having every citizen ready to maintain self-sufficiency for the critical 72 hours following a disaster.”

Ready Georgia provides individuals, schools, enforcement officials, volunteer organizations, community groups and local governments with a new interactive Web site (www.ready.ga.gov), online community toolkit, television and radio advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. Local organizations, like the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), will provide additional support throughout the state.

“Our organization will be supporting the Ready Georgia initiative by sponsoring public service announcements; disseminating information through messaging board systems; distributing information at the City’s Library, City Hall, Peachtree City Recreation Department, the Gathering Place and in our public school system; manning booths at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater; and participating in a variety of other activities. In addition to these events, the Peachtree City Police Department will be hosting the sixth basic Community Emergency Response Team course. The course will begin on September 11, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. Course applications can be obtained on line at www.ptcpolice.org or at the locations listed above. The application deadline is September 5th, 2008” said Chief H.C. Skip Clark II. “We also invite individuals to log on to ready.ga.gov for preparedness information and resources.”

About Ready Georgia
Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies. The campaign is a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign. Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for the 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive Web site, online community toolkit, television and radio advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. For more information visit www.ready.ga.gov.

About the Peachtree City Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The CERT program educates citizens and volunteers about the hazards they face in their community and provides them training in lifesaving skills. It is an all-risk, all-hazard training program. CERT courses are designed to help protect yourself, your family, your neighborhood, and surrounding neighborhoods when emergencies occur.
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Reductions in Smoking Show Promise for Reducing Home Fire Deaths

Home fire deaths are higher in states that have a greater percentage of smokers, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study published this month in the journal Injury Prevention. If smoking at home is reduced or stopped, fewer residential fire deaths may result, the study said.

Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths and accounts for approximately one quarter of the 3,000 home fire deaths in the United States each year. Quitting smoking, as well as following fire safety recommendations related to smoking, can help reduce the risk of cigarette-related home fire deaths. For free telephone-based counseling from anywhere in the United States, smokers can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, a national number that connects people to their state-based quit line.

This study is the first to use national data to look at the percentage of current smokers and home fire deaths in the District of Columbia and all U.S. states except Hawaii. Nationally, an estimated 21 percent of adults smoked in 2004, with state averages ranging from 11 percent (Utah) to 28 percent (Kentucky). In that year, an estimated 2,804 individuals died in home fires, or nearly one death per 100,000 people in the United States.

"Our study suggests that even modest reductions in overall smoking rates may save lives. In fact, quitting smoking is the most important step smokers can take to improve their overall health and that of their loved ones. People who do smoke should smoke outside the house to help protect themselves and their families from home fires and exposure to secondhand smoke, a known human carcinogen," said Shane Diekman, Ph.D., M.P.H., a behavioral scientist at CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

People who continue to smoke can reduce the risk of indoor fires by adopting strict smoke-free home rules; using deep, sturdy ashtrays securely set on tables; dousing cigarette and cigar butts in water or extinguishing with sand before dumping in the trash; and never smoking in bed or leaving burning cigarettes unattended. And everyone can reduce their risk of being harmed in a residential fire by making sure to have a working smoke alarm at home and testing that alarm regularly to make sure it is working.

"Home fire deaths have declined during the past several decades, and this decline has paralleled reductions in smoking," said Ileana Arias, Ph.D., director of CDC's Injury Center. "We work hard to keep our homes safe, and it just makes good sense to help people understand that if they can change their smoking habits, we may continue to reduce these tragedies."

The study used CDC's Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data.

For more information about CDC's injury prevention efforts, please link to http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fire.htm.
For a copy of this study, please link to Injury Prevention's website at: http://press.psprings.co.uk/ip/august/228_ip17004.pdf

Senate Firearms Law Study Committee to meet at State Capitol

WHAT: This is the first meeting of the Senate Comprehensive Firearms Law Study Committee, which will feature a presentation by GeorgiaCarry.org’s president, Ed Stone.
The Committee is responsible for conducting a close examination of Georgia’s varied firearms laws and to make recommendations for creating a consistent set of provisions. The Committee will meet throughout the interim, and could propose legislation for the 2009 session.

WHO: Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) – Chairman
Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock)
Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville)
Sen. George Hooks (D-Americus)
Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome)

WHEN: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Georgia State Capitol
Room 450
Atlanta, GA 30334

Anthrax Investigation - Closing a Chapter

The victims and family members of the 2001 anthrax mailings have waited patiently for nearly seven years to find out who was responsible for the worst case of bioterrorism in U.S. history. This morning during a special briefing at FBI Headquarters, Director Robert Mueller provided answers. The briefing took place several hours before the public release of documents relating to the investigation.

While updating victims and their families on the case—in which five people were killed and 17 were sickened—Mueller said that “the pain and suffering the attacks caused the victims and their families was in the minds of all the investigators” as they tirelessly worked to solve the case. That pain and suffering, he added, “has never, ever been lost to us.”

This afternoon during a press conference, Department of Justice and FBI officials highlighted some of the information contained in thejust-released Amerithrax documents, explaining why charges were about to be brought against anthrax researcher Dr. Bruce Ivins, who took his own life before those charges could be filed.

U.S. Attorney Jeff Taylor, District of Columbia, said that normally evidence against a suspect who has not been charged is not publicly released, in part because of the presumption of innocence. “But,” added Taylor, “because of the extraordinary public interest in this investigation...we are compelled to take the extraordinary step of providing the victims, their families, Congress, and the American public with an overview of some recent developments as well as some of our conclusions.”

Because of Ivins’ death, the government will not be able to present its case in court. But according to Assistant Director in Charge Joseph Persichini, FBI Washington Field Office, “Bruce Ivins was responsible for the death, sickness, and fear brought to our country by the 2001 anthrax mailings.”

The Amerithrax investigation is one of the largest and most complex investigations ever conducted by law enforcement. The Amerithrax Task Force, comprised of 17 special agents and 10 U.S. postal inspectors, has conducted more than 9,100 interviews, executed more than 70 searches, and followed leads across six continents. Along the way, a brand new science was developed that ultimately led to the big break in the case.

That science—creating a DNA equivalent of a fingerprint—allowed investigators to pinpoint the origins of the anthrax. The FBI Laboratory, in conjunction with the best experts in the scientific community, developed four highly sensitive and specific tests to detect the unique qualities of the anthrax used in the 2001 attacks. This took several years to accomplish, but in early 2005 the groundbreaking research successfully identified where the anthrax used in the mailings had come from.

Another key piece of evidence was provided when investigators were able to identify a limited geographic area where the anthrax envelopes were purchased based on a forensic investigation that revealed printing defects in certain batches of envelopes.

In 2006, speaking about the investigation, Persichini said investigators were frustrated that no arrests had been made, but that “no one in the FBI has, for a moment, stopped thinking about the innocent victims of these attacks...The FBI's commitment to solving this case is undiminished."

Today, Persichini was able to tell the American public that a chapter on one of the most heinous crimes committed against the citizens of the United States has been closed.
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Criminal Profiling and Forensics Expert Leads Workshops at Kennesaw State

Brent Turvey, a leading forensic scientist and criminal profiler, will lead a series of four workshops at the ninth annual Academy of Behavioral Profiling meeting at Kennesaw State University Aug. 9-10. The ABP also will conduct a Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)-approved, hands-on profiling training Aug. 11-12. It is open to Georgia law enforcement officers at student rates.

Who:
Turvey is the author of “Criminal Profiling,” a seminal text — now in its third edition — on “deductive profiling,” an innovative technique geared to investigating and solving crimes by understanding the behavior of criminals. An investigator and expert witness specializing in rape and homicide cases, Turvey also has published volumes on rape investigation and crime-scene reconstruction.

What:
The Academy of Behavioral Profiling meeting presents law enforcement officials, students and community members the latest issues and trends in criminal profiling. Turvey’s workshops will focus on behavioral evidence and criminal profiling; the scientific method and behavioral evidence analysis; the scientific examination of victims; and crime reconstruction, victim analysis and staging. Other presentations include crime reconstruction and false reports of crime; ethics and the investigative relevance of criminal profiling. All sessions are open to the public. Registration for the annual meeting is at www.profiling.org. Register for the training at http://www.forensic-science.com/seminar_2008.html.

When:
Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 9-10 (Annual Meeting), 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday-Tuesday, Aug. 11-12 (Training), 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Where:
Kennesaw State University campus; Social Science Building (Bldg. #22), Room 1021.

For meeting information, contact Stan Crowder, KSU assistant professor of criminal justice, at scrowder@kennesaw.edu or at 770-423-6253.

Local Businessman Convicted by Federal Jury on All Counts for Bribing Atlanta Public School Official

Bribes Helped Businessman Receive Millions in Federal "E-Rate" Funds

R. CLAY HARRIS, 56, of Peachtree City, Georgia, was found guilty this morning by a federal jury on charges of bribery and conspiring to bribe a former Atlanta Public School (APS) official and to deprive APS and the citizens of Atlanta of that official’s honest services.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “Business people who think they can bribe their way into contracts with school systems and government agencies face the risk of being caught and convicted. Our investigations into public corruption do not end with the conviction of the public officials; we seek to investigate and prosecute the business people who pay bribes and join the corrupt conspiracies. In this case, we have already convicted the recipients of Harris’ bribes, and now he too will go to prison.”

"Today's guilty verdict demonstrates the Department's resolve to hold accountable individuals who subvert the competitive process and frustrate efforts to help our nation's economically disadvantaged school children," said Thomas O. Barnett, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department's Antitrust Division in Washington D.C.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias, the charges and other information presented in court: HARRIS was the CEO and majority owner of Multimedia Communications Services Corporation (MCSC), while co-conspirator Arthur Scott was the Director of APS’s Operational Technology-Telecommuications Division, with responsibility for APS’s technology infrastructure and for managing and overseeing APS’s “E-rate” program. Arthur Scott pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery charges in May 2007, and testified at trial against HARRIS.

The E-rate program was created by Congress in 1996 to provide funding to connect needy schools to the Internet and was authorized to provide billions of dollars of funding to such schools. In 1998, Arthur Scott and other APS Information Services employees recommended that MCSC (and related companies) be awarded contracts to do E-rate work for APS.

Evidence at trial showed that starting in late 2000 and continuing until late 2002, HARRIS paid M&S Consulting, a business partnership between Arthur Scott and his wife, Evelyn Myers Scott, over $230,000 for favorable treatment in receiving E-rate and other APS business. In January 2001, shortly after the corrupt payments began, Arthur Scott submitted E-rate funding applications requesting over $22 million for MCSC to provide equipment and services to APS, without competitive bidding.

The evidence showed that in September 2001, APS learned that E-rate had approved and set aside $11 million for MCSC projects. Arthur Scott testified at trial that he did virtually no work for HARRIS from that point forward, yet he continued to invoice HARRIS and got over $200,000 in payments from HARRIS. During that same time period, HARRIS received over $11 million in E-rate funds for work at APS.

In January 2002, Arthur Scott submitted E-rate funding applications requesting over $16 million more for MCSC to provide equipment and services to APS, again without competitive bidding. HARRIS’ payments to Scott stopped when HARRIS’ company, MCSC, was forced to competitively bid for additional E-rate work in December 2002 and was not selected by APS to conduct further work under the E-rate program. Evelyn Myers Scott, the partner in M&S Consulting, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to deprive of honest services in May 2007, and she also testified at trial against HARRIS.

Sentencing for HARRIS is set for October, 22, 2008, at 4 p.m. before United States District Judge Clarence Cooper. HARRIS faces a maximum sentence of 45 years in federal prison. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders. Arthur Scott is serving a sentence of 3 years, 1 month in federal prison. Evelyn Myers Scott is serving a sentence of 2 years in federal prison. They were both sentenced in July 2007.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Communications Commission Office of the Inspector General. APS cooperated in the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorneys William McKinnon and Sally B. Molloy prosecuted this case, with the assistance of the Atlanta Field Office of the Antitrust Division.

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