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http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/110759870320150.xml
Thomas Fouts accessed e-mail account of neighbor with whom he was quarreling
Saturday, February 05, 2005
By PENELOPE McCLENNY
Staff Reporter
A Daphne lawyer acquitted at least twice of charges that he harassed his neighbors has pleaded guilty in federal court to tapping into one of their e-mail accounts, said David York, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama.
Thomas Fouts, 55, pleaded guilty last month to a computer fraud charge, York said in a statement.
"Mr. Fouts admitted in open court that he accessed the e-mail account of a neighbor without authorization," York said.
According to court records, Fouts tapped into the e-mail of neighbor Annette Lay four times from Aug. 3 through 8, 2002.
During that time, Fouts was fighting charges of third-degree criminal mischief and reckless endangerment filed by neighbor Paul Soutullo in Daphne Municipal Court. Fouts had appealed the case to Baldwin County Circuit Court and was acquitted by a jury on Aug. 12, 2002.
The e-mails, all from Annette Lay, included messages sent to Soutullo and his wife, Joanne. The case also involves messages sent to Bay Minette lawyer Bayless Biles, who is representing Annette Lay and her husband, Jim, the Soutullos and others in a civil case against Fouts. Fouts also gained access to two e-mails Lay sent to Daphne Police Capt. David Wilson, records indicate.
The e-mail subject lines included "FOUTS's mug," "Soutullo VS FOUTS" and "FOUTS went to Paul Soutullo's job." When asked during a phone interview Friday if the e-mails pertained to the Circuit Court trial taking place at the time, Fouts said, "I think it's obvious from the document."
Fouts is scheduled to be sentenced March 16 on the charge, the release from York's office stated. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment with a fine not to exceed $100,000 and one year probation.
Fouts declined to comment Friday when asked how he accessed the e-mails and how he used the information, and the news release and court documents provided no further details. When asked for comment on the plea, he cited a longstanding feud with the Lays over a concrete slab on their property that he says has caused flood damaged to his own property and decreased its value
Thomas Fouts accessed e-mail account of neighbor with whom he was quarreling
Saturday, February 05, 2005
By PENELOPE McCLENNY
Staff Reporter
A Daphne lawyer acquitted at least twice of charges that he harassed his neighbors has pleaded guilty in federal court to tapping into one of their e-mail accounts, said David York, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama.
Thomas Fouts, 55, pleaded guilty last month to a computer fraud charge, York said in a statement.
"Mr. Fouts admitted in open court that he accessed the e-mail account of a neighbor without authorization," York said.
According to court records, Fouts tapped into the e-mail of neighbor Annette Lay four times from Aug. 3 through 8, 2002.
During that time, Fouts was fighting charges of third-degree criminal mischief and reckless endangerment filed by neighbor Paul Soutullo in Daphne Municipal Court. Fouts had appealed the case to Baldwin County Circuit Court and was acquitted by a jury on Aug. 12, 2002.
The e-mails, all from Annette Lay, included messages sent to Soutullo and his wife, Joanne. The case also involves messages sent to Bay Minette lawyer Bayless Biles, who is representing Annette Lay and her husband, Jim, the Soutullos and others in a civil case against Fouts. Fouts also gained access to two e-mails Lay sent to Daphne Police Capt. David Wilson, records indicate.
The e-mail subject lines included "FOUTS's mug," "Soutullo VS FOUTS" and "FOUTS went to Paul Soutullo's job." When asked during a phone interview Friday if the e-mails pertained to the Circuit Court trial taking place at the time, Fouts said, "I think it's obvious from the document."
Fouts is scheduled to be sentenced March 16 on the charge, the release from York's office stated. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment with a fine not to exceed $100,000 and one year probation.
Fouts declined to comment Friday when asked how he accessed the e-mails and how he used the information, and the news release and court documents provided no further details. When asked for comment on the plea, he cited a longstanding feud with the Lays over a concrete slab on their property that he says has caused flood damaged to his own property and decreased its value