Law firm's IT guy gets jail time

Information technology workers jokingly wield a lot of power at companies. They have access to important computer files, and who else do you turn to when your screen freezes up at work?

That kind of power can get ugly at times, though, and can lead to prosecution. The Consuegra Law Firm in Tampa found out the hard way when its former IT guy, Edwin Vega Jr., confessed to computer intrusions after being fired last year.

According to U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neill, Vega, 42, was fired Aug. 13, 2009, for deleting files from the computer of a human resources manager after being counseled for unacceptable behavior. A few weeks later, on four separate occasions, Vega accessed the firm's computers and destroyed and deleted files on its servers, along with disabling operating systems and deleting e-mail accounts and other records.

Last November, FBI agents questioned Vega about the incidents and he admitted to using his home desktop computer and an open wireless network to access the firm's servers and causing damage. Vega pleaded guilty Aug. 19 and was sentenced this past week to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution.

Dan Consuegra, whose firm is primarily involved in mortgage foreclosures and debt collections, declined comment on Vega's sentencing. But the incident serves as a reminder to any company to protect their computer files from employees who may be able to gain access once they are dismissed.