Family Hassled After TV Report

A family has been bombarded with threats and harassment after their house was wrongly identified on a U.S. cable television broadcast as the home of a radical Islamic group's leader.

Since the Fox News report Aug. 7, Randy and Ronnell Vorick have had people shout profanities at them, take photos of their house and had someone spray-paint the word "terrorist" on their property, The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

"I'm scared to go to work and leave my kids home. I call them every 30 minutes to make sure they're OK," Randy Vorick said.

John Loftus, a former federal prosecutor, gave out the address on the TV show, saying it was the home of Iyad Hilal, who allegedly was the U.S. leader of a group with ties to those responsible for the July 7 bombings in London.

Satellite photos of the house and directions to the residence were posted online. Someone even removed the street sign where the Voricks live to provide some protection.

Hilal, whom Loftus identified by name during the broadcast, moved out of the house in Orange County about three years ago.The FBI has launched an inquiry into the activities of Hilal, a grocery store owner who is allegedly the U.S. leader of Hizb ut-Tahrir, which has been banned in parts of Europe and the Middle East.

Hilal, 56, is apparently not suspected of any terrorist acts, but FBI terrorism investigators want to know more about his and the group's activities.

Police have regularly patrolled the Voricks' house since the broadcast and now have a squad car across the street.

Police Capt. John Rees said the department was "giving special attention to the family to make sure they're safe," but declined to elaborate.

The family wants a public apology and correction.

"John Loftus has been reprimanded for his careless error, and we sincerely apologize to the family," said Fox spokeswoman Irena Brigante.

Loftus also apologized and told the Los Angeles Times last week that "mistakes happen."

"I'm terribly sorry about that. I had no idea. That was the best information we had at the time," he said.