14 DAY TRIAL // Matthew Keys, the Reuters deputy social media editor accused of aiding Anonymous hackers deface a website of the LA Times, has come forward with a short statement to deny the accusations brought against him.
Authorities say Keys has provided the hackers with the login credentials to the network of his former employer, the Tribune Company, which owns the LA Times.
Prosecutors have presented several chat logs in which Keys, using the AESCracked moniker, not only offered to provide information to the hacktivists, but also applauded their efforts after learning that the Los Angeles Times site was defaced.
The journalist’s lawyer stated that he was only doing investigative journalism. On the other hand, the FBI claims to have evidence to support the allegations that he was doing much more than that.
“I did not give a username and a password to anyone. I did not ‘conspire’ to ‘cause damage to a protected computer.’ I did not cause ‘transmission of malicious code,’ and I did not ‘attempt’ to cause ‘transmission of malicious code.’,” Keys wrote on his personal Facebook page.
“My attorneys have said much of the same over the past few days, but I feel it might mean more coming from me directly,” he added.
It’s believed that Hector Xavier Monsegur, also known as Sabu, might have something to do with Keys’ indictment.
“Matthew Keys has just been indicted for supposedly sharing admin login details of the Tribune Company with, you guessed it, none other than Hector Xavier Monsegur over two years ago. See a theme developing here yet?” Anonymous hackers wrote a few days ago.
“The law will target those around and within Anonymous in any way that they can, and bottom feeders like Sabu will help prop up any flimsy case they happen to want to bring.”