PA webcam investigation complete, says U.S. Attorney
August 23, 2010 by Claire KnightPosted in: In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Legal News
U.S. Attorney Zane Memeger led the criminal investigation of Lower Merion School District’s laptop debacle. Finally, the decision is in:
The Lower Merion School District will not face criminal charges for taking thousands of pictures of students — in their homes, without their consent — using the webcams on students’ school-issued laptops, according to Memeger.
Reason: To prosecute a criminal case, the federal government must “prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person charged acted with criminal intent,” Memeger explained in a statement.
Because the investigation didn’t uncover “evidence that would establish beyond a reasonable doubt that anyone had criminal intent,” Memeger plans to put the criminal matter to rest before the beginning of the upcoming school year.
The district still faces two federal lawsuits that claim invasion of privacy. Details are here and here.
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Tags: laptop spying, privacy, search
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