EarthLink Testimony Helps Convict 'Buffalo Spammer' on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges
1 April 2004
ATLANTA, April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Howard Carmack, aka the "Buffalo Spammer," was found guilty yesterday on all 14 counts by a jury in Buffalo, New York. Carmack's criminal conviction stems from charges that he used fraudulently obtained Internet access accounts to send forged spam emails.
EarthLink (Nasdaq: ELNK), one of the nation's leading Internet service providers, played an instrumental role in the case. Mary Youngblood, EarthLink's abuse team manager, provided expert testimony and evidence about the spamming and spoofing violations that the company uncovered during its year-long investigation into Carmack's illegal Internet activities. In addition, EarthLink's outside counsel Pete Wellborn also testified in the case.
Last year, EarthLink won a $16.4 million civil judgment and injunctive relief against Carmack in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.
The following statement can be attributed to Karen Cashion, EarthLink's assistant general counsel who led the ISP's civil case against Carmack.
"This criminal verdict puts spammers on notice that in addition to being held liable for millions of dollars in civil damages, they can also be sent to prison for sending fraudulent and illegal emails. EarthLink is pleased to have been able to offer testimony against Howard Carmack, and we commend the New York Attorney General's office for its successful prosecution of the criminal case.
"In addition to consumer education, legislative efforts and innovative tools like spamBlocker to protect consumers' inboxes from unwanted, unsolicited junk email, EarthLink will continue to pursue legal action against spammers with the same tenacity that led to the case against Mr. Carmack and others like him. Howard Carmack's criminal conviction demonstrates that spammers who continue to send illegal emails will not escape the law."
About EarthLink"EarthLink revolves around you(TM)." Celebrating ten years as a leading national Internet service provider (ISP), Atlanta-based EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Internet Service Provider Residential Customer Satisfaction Study(SM), EarthLink is ranked highest in customer satisfaction among high-speed Internet Service Providers. Serving more than five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high- quality connectivity, minimal drop-offs and ISP-generated intrusions, and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, Web hosting, or wireless Internet service, EarthLink provides the tools that best let individuals use and enjoy the Internet on their own terms. Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting EarthLink's Web site at http://www.earthlink.net .
