Publicity Stunt Suspects Released

2 Men Accused Of Putting Electronic Ads For Cartoon Around Boston Prompting Scare

(CBS/AP)  Two men who authorities say placed electronic advertising around the city were released from jail Thursday, apparently amused with the publicity stunt that stirred fears of terrorism and shut down parts of the city.

Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28, were released on $2,500 cash bond after each pleaded not guilty to placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct for placing an ad found Wednesday at a subway station. They waved and smiled as they greeted people in court.

Outside, they met reporters and television cameras and launched into a nonsensical discussion of hair styles of the 1970s. "What we really want to talk about today — it's kind of important to some people — it's haircuts of the 1970s," Berdovsky said.

Officials found 38 blinking electronic signs promoting the Cartoon Network TV show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" on bridges and other high-profile spots across the city Wednesday, prompting the closing of a highway and the deployment of bomb squads. The surreal series is about a talking milkshake, a box of fries and a meatball. The network is a division of Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc.

The 1-foot tall signs, which were lit up, resembled a circuit board, with protruding wires and batteries. Most depicted a boxy, cartoon character giving passersby the finger — a more obvious sight when darkness fell.

"It's clear the intent was to get attention by causing fear and unrest that there was a bomb in that location," Assistant Attorney General John Grossman said at their arraignment.

Berdovsky posted video on the Web of him placing the devices around Boston, reported The Early Show correspondent Joie Chen.

The devices were planted in nine other cities, but with far less dramatic results. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Austin, Texas, San Francisco and Philadelphia all had the devices for the past few weeks, Chen reported.

Chicago police said Thursday they questioned two men who posted 20 electronic advertising devices around Chicago as part of the nationwide publicity ploy.

Police Superintendent Phil Cline says the two men haven't been charged. They were both released after questioning.The signs were recovered yesterday from locations around Chicago, including CTA trains, elevated platforms and storefronts

In the Boston case, the men did not speak or enter their own pleas, but they appeared amused and smiled as the prosecutor talked about the device found at Sullivan Station underneath Interstate 93, looking like it had C-4 explosive.

"The appearance of this device and its location are crucial," Grossman said. "This device looks like a bomb."

Some in the gallery snickered.

Outside the courthouse, Michael Rich, a lawyer for both of the men, said the description of a bomb-like device could be used for any electronic device.

"If somebody had left a VCR on the ground it would have been a device with wires, electronic components and a power source," he said.

Boston officials were livid when the devices were discovered.

[ecuadoriana]

"they could not have been terrorists because they do not work for the united stated federal government."
Posted by nautiq at 03:04 PM : Feb 02, 2007

That was worth repeating!!!

Thank you, nautiq!

they could not have been terrorists because they do not work for the united stated federal government.

unbelievable how people are buying into the 'terrorism threat'

jail time for putting up lite brites?

wake up people - our government is stripping away our freedoms at a ridiculous rate and a lot of people are falling for it hook line and sinker.

freakin scary if you ask me!!!

[smb221]

You have too much time on your hands to be worrying about a Lite Brite.

[agnim]

"Anyone that thought that was a bomb needs to re-evaluate their entire security outlook.

Posted by AngryNYer at 10:06 AM : Feb 02, 2007"

Yet another moronic Monday morning quarterback! Tsk-tsk

Does your little mind even think that one way for terrorists to plant bombs is to MAKE THEIR DEVICES SEEM INNOCENT to smart arses like you? LOL

If there is no way of telling if an 'innocent' device is really innocent, THEN THE AUTHORITIES ARE COMPELLED TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION!

In your ignorance, you are coming across like the two DRUG HEADS who planted those devices to exploit Americans' uneasiness on behalf of the Turner racketeering media corporation!

[angrynyer]

Anyone that thought that was a bomb needs to re-evaluate their entire security outlook.

It's just a bunch of silly Bostonites that got all upset that someone (or something) was giving them the finger. Then in typical Boston fashion, they completely overreacted.

Even further in Boston fashion, rather than admit they overreacted, they press criminal charges.

[karateman39]

"It's clear the intent was to get attention by causing fear and unrest that there was a bomb in that location," Assistant Attorney General John Grossman said at their arraignment.

What a quote. How is this clear? Where is the intent? Yes the signs were in highly visible plces but any good marketing firm will tell you that is where you need to advertise.

The assistant Attorney General is a fool and so is most of the rest of the governing body of Boston.

In other cities these signs did not cause this kind of reaction and I don't buy the "the terrorists launched their attack from here so we need to be vigilant" argument. What a crock. Use a little common sense.

[tomjohn9]

Bet bildooreilly worked all day cooking up that one.

[bildooreilly]

Here's the deal on the "justice" system... If you thought the movie the matrix was bad get ready...

The "justice system" is nothing more than a means of extracting energy from the masses.. energy is money of course.. you trade your energy every time you work for money. So if you're ever "charged" with a crime remember this... you can get out if you can pay Ba'al, if not they'll stick you in a CELL to store the CHARGE, you might end up on the CIRCUIT COURT... you'll have to get a lawyer to REpresent you because this isn't about the present... once you hire a lawyer you're considered a "WARD OF THE COURT" that means since you hired a lawyer you're mentally or physically unable to care for yourself...

Now lets go take a look at a nice big state or federal courthouse on googles image search, then go find a picture of a nice big masonic lodge... exactly the same thing, and laid out exactly the same inside as well. The "honorable" judge, the most worshipful master, sits behind his podium with his masonic gavel, ruling from the bench, in latin bench means banc, or BANK.. So the Judge Rules from the Bank, to extract energy from those brought before him. After you finally get out of the clutches of these parasites they'll say "You've paid your debt to the secret society."

[dustfullman]

The only thing lacking in Boston is a brain. The "authorities" have been watching too much tv. When the next teror attack happens, they won't have a clue. We, with the help of The Media have become a frightened nation. Every snake oil peddler tells us that the sky is falling. We listen and The Media reports it as straight news. If it wasn't so sad it would be laughable. Don't laugh at Boston until yopu take a good look at "the authorities" in your neck of the woods. Fumble, stumble and bumble has become The American Motto. Get a grip!

[tomjohn9]

It's "moron," not "moran."

[l61648]

I would hope that these two "idiots" will face a very stern judge. Both seem to think this ia all a joke, perhaps they do not care about 911. I really care that all whom were involved inthis hairbrain idea pay a BIG price for their stupidty. The thing that REALLY bothere me is how these two MORANS were able to place thse devices without beig detected ? Are we really ready for a real alarm Boston FAILED along with the other seven cities. I would love to see these two idiots faces whae the judge hands down jail time for both .

[tomjohn9]

Bostonian overreaction or not, those two guys should get the chair (chairs?) for being such extreme losers!

[billion2005]

middle school, high school, and college students all over the country must be laughing at Boston right now... I mean, come on... Seriously. It's a new type of advertising for a cartoon!

[thgdriver]

Seems to me the other 9 cities are looking at Boston and asking themselves, what the hel! is wrong with that town?

Don't wait for the other cities to belittle Boston over this though, city governments and police forces stick together.

What Boston should do now is drop the whole thing and hope it all goes away ASAP.

Ted Turner could toss them a bone and that would probably help. Maybe a check for 50,000 or so, he would not miss it, and it could be charged as a tax write off as a gift to the city.

[billion2005]

Boston over reacted. I'd hate to think what would happen if someone left out a tickle me elmo!!!

[emtak1]

This cartoon has been around for like 5-10 years, including the "space invader" character sporting the finger occasionally.

"It's clear the intent was to get attention by causing fear and unrest that there was a bomb in that location," Assistant Attorney General John Grossman said at their arraignment

Grossman's assertation does not seem clear to me at all. An analogy would NYPD cops arresting Letterman for throwing stuff of the top of his building (as he frequently does) and then stating "It's clear the intent was to get attention by causing fear and unrest..."

Anderson Cooper's show tonight described these devices are similar to the old "Lite Bright" childrens games.

I dont know whats more embarrasing--that cops thought they were bombs or that their vanity is so great that they had to arrest a couple of low-level entertainers in order to protect it.

I thought my hometown of Buffalo was the Queen City of Stupid--but now I'm thinking--Boston maybe?

[missjami]

Abigail,
spray paint doesn't normally have the power to blow up a bridge, whereas a wired device does.

Ojama,
my point exactly, entertainment for those with arrested mental development. Thank you.

[abigail4476]

missjami, if someone wants to prosecute those two fellows for posting a sign with an obscene gesture--well, they can be our collective guests.

Accusing them of terrorism, or a terrorist hoax? That is beyond the pale. Please. This is a case of stupidity, and the majority of the stupidity is on the part of the Boston PD.

I wonder if they accost graffiti artists with the same madness...I see obscenities spray-painted quite often. Offensive? Sure. An act of terrorism?!!!! Come on.

The Boston PD overreacted. They should be big enough to admit it.

[bildooreilly]

They're like the real life stoner jay and silent bob, give them a tv show lol