Posted by Virus Bulletin on Mar 30, 2005
Microsoft allows Parson to work community service instead of paying $500,000
Microsoft has filed court documents requesting that Jeffrey Lee Parson, author of the B variant of the Blaster worm, serve 225 hours of community service in lieu of the $500,000 he owes the company in restitution.
In January 2005 Parson was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment as well as three years of supervised release and 100 hours of community service after he is released from prison. US District Judge Marsha Pechman said she was had decided on a relatively light sentence because of Parson's history of mental health problems and because his home life 'sounds grimmer than many prison camps [she'd] visited'.
Parson was also ordered to pay Microsoft $500,000 in restitution but - pending agreement from Judge Pechman - Parson will now work off his debt to Microsoft during his three years of supervised release, working 75 hours per year. Microsoft has stipulated that the community service is not to involve computers or the Internet, and is to benefit less fortunate members of the community.
Tim Cranton, senior attorney with the Internet Safety Enforcement group at Microsoft, said: 'We're pleased this prosecution has been fully resolved with a prison sentence and appropriate restitution. Mr. Parson's additional community service will have a stronger impact on him in serving his sentence.'
Posted on 30 March 2005 by Virus Bulletin
