Federal prosecutors say 53-year-old Tracy man remotely uninstalled critical software.
DISCOVERY BAY – A 53-year-old Tracy man is facing federal criminal charges in connection with an alleged attack on the computer systems of a Discovery Bay water treatment plant more than two years ago, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Rambler Gallo was a full-time employee of a private Massachusetts-based company that contracted with Discovery Bay to operate the town’s water treatment plant, prosecutors said, citing an indictment that was filed June 27 and unsealed Thursday.As the company’s “instrumentation and control tech” from July 2016 to December 2020, Gallo was responsible for maintaining the instrumentation and computer systems used to manage electromechanical processes at the plant, according to prosecutors.
During that period, Gallo allegedly installed software on his personal computer and the company’s private network that allowed him to gain remote access to the plant’s network, prosecutors said. Gallo resigned from the company in January 2021. Later that month, he allegedly accessed the plant’s computer system remotely and uninstalled software that was the main hub of the plant’s network and that protected the entire water treatment system, including water pressure, filtration and chemical levels, according to prosecutors.
Gallo is charged with one count of transmitting a program, information, code and command to cause damage to a protected computer, prosecutors said. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lam Research chops East Bay jobs as tech layoffs mount in Bay AreaLam Research has chopped well over 500 Bay Area jobs this year, fresh layoffs that have contributed to a forbidding new milestone for the region’s wobbly tech industry.
Read more »
East Bay city celebrates Fourth of July with an alternative to fireworks — a drone showThe first ever drone show to celebrate the holiday in Brentwood drew a huge turnout. Organizers estimated that 15,000 people came to enjoy the festivities. Many said the drone show was a new and exciting experience. 4thofJuly
Read more »
Fire ravages East Bay homeA married couple and their dogs escaped from their burning Antioch home early Wednesday morning.
Read more »
Fireworks likely caused dozens of East Bay firesThere were dozens of fires last night that a Contra Costa County fire department said were likely caused by illegal fireworks.
Read more »
East Bay group creates hundreds of ‘Quilts of Valor' to honor veteransUnder the leadership of Michelle McCumber, members of the Amador Valley Quilt Guild create and then donate quilts as a way of thanking veterans for their service.
Read more »
East Bay fire district responds to nearly 60 Fourth of July fires, most linked to fireworksFire crews in Contra Costa County had a busy Fourth of July night chasing down and dousing nearly 60 fires, most of which started after 9 p.m. and were caused by fireworks.
Read more »