A routine audit at the California State University in Fresno proved to be fatal for John Escalera (29) and Gustavo Razo (28). The IT staff discovered that the grading database had been tapered with and began to investigate.
In the end, it seems that the story went like this: Escalara, who worked in CSUF’s information technology department, managed to get hold of the password of his supervisor and therefore gain access to several data banks of the university.
He used the credentials to modify his grades several times between January and June 2004. He did the same for Gustavo Razo, who claims to have paid cash for the “favor”.
The two were indicted on October 25. The charges brought against them include unauthorized computer access, wire fraud, conspiracy, and identity theft.
In the mean time, a New Jersey convicted of sending millions of spam mails to AOL members was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment, plus a $180,000 fine.