Congress Aide Sought Hacker To Hike Grades

Communications Director To Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg Fired After Soliciting Help to Inflate College Marks

(AP)  The communications director for Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., has been fired for trying to have the director's college record inflated by people he believed were computer hackers, Rehberg's chief of staff said Friday.

Todd Shriber was fired Thursday from the communications post that he held for about a year, Erik Iverson said. He said the dismissal came after Shriber informed him of a pending article on the Internet that detailed attempts to hire men believed to be hackers.

The men actually were not hackers, but Shriber's e-mail communication with them last summer reinforced his belief that they were available for hire to change grades he received at Texas Christian University, NetworkWorld.com reported Thursday.

Shriber, 28, declined to comment Friday. Iverson said Shriber had been concerned about his grades because he eventually wanted to pursue a master's degree.

"He's a good guy," Iverson said. "This was out of character for him. But at the end of the day, he just wasn't exhibiting the kind of veracity that we need and demand out of our employees."

The firing was supported by Rehberg, a Republican just elected to a fourth House term. Iverson said the congressman was not available for comment Friday.

In an Aug. 9 e-mail to the Web site attrition.org, Shriber said he needed to "make contact with a hacker that would be interested in doing a one-time job for me. The pay would be good."

Attrition.org is an online clearinghouse for information on Internet and computer security.

NetworkWorld reported that two members of attrition.org, identified as "Lyger" and "Jericho," fooled Shriber into believing they would meet his wishes of tapping into the Texas Christian computer system so his grades could be altered.

NetworkWorld said the Internet relationship ended with an Aug. 27 e-mail in which Lyger told Shriber, fictitiously, that hacking attempts were detected and it would be wise to "duck and run if you can."

As communications director, Shriber held "a position that entails a lot of trust," Iverson said. Shriber's work involved communicating with the public, often through the news media.

[catt42701]

This person wasn't a good guy and what he did was not out of character. He initiated the converstation and he wanted better grades so he was willing to buy them. Is it any wonder. Look what he has been exposed to in Congress. That's where he learned his morals and ethics.

[diverinnl]

Let's see; This guy did something stupid and unethical, got caught, and was immediately fired. What more do you folks want? A public flogging because he was a Republican, or at least worked for one? I don't get you people. Your all a bunch of two faced hypocrites.

[specimenfred]

GOP "ethics" on full display.

[bvckvs-2009]

One of these days, I'll read a story about the NeoChristians doing something good and ethical and I'll die right then and there of a heart attack.

[bluestardad]

must be low on news.

[Chakolate]

This would have been a much stronger story if you'd included a link so that readers could go read the exchange for themselves.

Reading the casual way in which the aide solicited a felony, when he knew it was a felony, could help a reader judge whether to believe the claim that this action was out of character.

[vancouverboo]

He's in the right profession.

[educates]

This is among the most dastardly deeds. A grade is a grade. There are systems for challenging a grade that you feel is inadequate. To change a grade belittles everyone who burned the midnight oil and studied to "learn."
Educates