Further along in its investigation of potential industrial espionage, the FBI has acquired access to the work email of former Ford engineer Sharon Leach.
The Detroit News reports the email seizure was part of a search warrant issued to the automaker. Ford sent a DVD and an unidentified document to the agency earlier this week, with information containing all emails, drafts, files et al linked to Leach’s account. The FBI seized similar information related to her personal email account and eight listening devices in July.
The ongoing investigation is the result of Leach admitting to her bosses to leaving behind said devices after recording meetings in lieu of taking notes, with other meetings being recorded until she found time to recover the devices. The confession prompted Ford to fire the engineer, and to make a phone call to the FBI.
Representatives for Ford and the FBI declined to provide more details into the investigation, and court records that could do so are sealed in federal court. Leach has not been charged as of this writing.
“Leach” indeed. How unfortunate…
http://www.fbi.gov/detroit/press-releases/2009/de101509.htm
I’m really curious as to what Ford felt was so important about the information in particular that they invited the FBI to the party.
Any meeting regarding contracts/material for DOD or GSA to start. With every government contract I get comes a long list of security procedures.
I’m still waiting for proof of intent to cause harm. I guess we’ll see – unless it remains sealed, then we won’t.
Intent to cause harm is only part of it. As LALoser points out any contact with certain government agencies is subject to security restrictions. Failure to adhere is a security breach in and of itself. The FBI assumes the worst until proven otherwise.
With regard to industrial espionage, apparently so does Ford. There’s no way anyone at Ford would have approved hidden listening devices instead of note taking, with participants unaware they were being recorded. That, as they say, stinks to high heaven, i.e., it’s probably illegal.
Even if there wasn’t any espionage, one cannot record conversations/meetings without consent of the parties involved or a warrant.
Correct me if I’m wrong…….. I’m sure someone will ;)
She should’ve consulted the IRS for tips on email security.
Where is Z71 Silvy?
Mastodon hunt?