Accused spy seeks release on bond

By CHRIS ROBERTS

The Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- A fired scientist downloaded classified data to unsecured computers, leaving U.S. nuclear weapons technology vulnerable to computer hackers, a security expert testified Monday at a second bond hearing for Wen Ho Lee.

Lee was back in court asking a federal judge to reconsider whether he should remain behind bars without bail until his trial. A magistrate denied bond two weeks ago.

Taiwanese-born Lee, 60, a naturalized U.S. citizen, has pleaded innocent.

Outside the federal courthouse, supporters rallied with signs reading "Free Wen Ho Lee" and "Justice for All." Supporters say the government is trying to make him a scapegoat for the government's security shortcomings.

Cheryl L. Wampler, a Los Alamos computer security expert, testified it took a concerted effort on Lee's part to bypass security to collect the files he is accused of downloading to unsecure computers and portable computer tapes.

Wampler said Lee had transmitted unclassified information to foreign countries that revealed two lab computer logins and passwords that could be viewed by any hacker on the Internet.

And in 1993, a security program that looks for suspicious activity flagged Lee for moving information from secure areas to unsecure areas. Wampler testified the woman who reviews such flags incorrectly decided the actions were a necessary part of the changeover to a new computer system and ignored the warning.

It took Lee 40 hours during several months in 1993 and 1994 to download the files, which he declassified by putting in areas that could be reached by people inside the lab without property security clearance or hackers, Wampler said.

Lee's attorneys argued, however, that Lee didn't act like a spy.

Lee made no effort to conceal his activity or disguise the files' contents, and he knew computers were keeping logs of everything he did, Lee's attorney, John Cline said.

The hearing before U.S. District Judge James Parker was on a defense appeal of a magistrate's order denying $100,000 bail for Lee. He faces life in prison if convicted.

Copyright 1999
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.