A former Naval Academy doctor has been charged with conduct unbecoming an officer and violating state and federal laws related to wiretapping and destruction of evidence after Navy prosecutors said he secretly videotaped several midshipmen having sex at his house.
But Bill Ferris, a civilian lawyer representing Cmdr. Kevin Ronan, said the charges stem from an extortion attempt by a disgruntled former midshipman who had moved in with his client after he was dismissed from the academy. (more)
(update 11/9/07)
A Navy physician was sentenced Friday to nearly four years in the brig after a military jury found that he had secretly recorded Naval Academy midshipmen having sex in his Annapolis home.
The jury also dismissed Cmdr. Kevin J. Ronan from the Navy and stripped him of his government pension.
The 10-day general court-martial at the Washington Navy Yard concluded with Ronan, who turns 42 today, being escorted in handcuffs through a cold rain into a van. He declined to talk to reporters. (more)
Thursday, June 7, 2007
The Family that Spies Together, Stays Together
Three family members of a Chinese-American engineer convicted last month of spying for China have agreed to plead guilty to charges stemming from an investigation into the transfer of submarine technology.
A jury found Chi Mak guilty of conspiring to violate export laws, operating as a Chinese agent in America, and lying to the FBI. Mak's brother and sister in law, Tai Wang Mak and Fuk Li, and their son, Billy Mak, were set to go on trial today in Santa Ana, Calif. (more)
A jury found Chi Mak guilty of conspiring to violate export laws, operating as a Chinese agent in America, and lying to the FBI. Mak's brother and sister in law, Tai Wang Mak and Fuk Li, and their son, Billy Mak, were set to go on trial today in Santa Ana, Calif. (more)
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
More eavesdropping stories out of Michigan...
MI - A Flushing Junior High School teacher suspended this week for planting a listening device in another teacher's classroom risks losing her job and her freedom.
Police allege that a listening device intended to pick up conversations was discovered May 18 taped to the back of a desk.
Investigators believe a teacher planted it there to overhear discussions between her daughter and another teacher. There had been allegations of problems involving the daughter and class disruptions, police said.
...
In recent years, several people have been prosecuted in Genesee County for eavesdropping, usually for secretly photographing or taping people in bathrooms, bedrooms or other private places.
...
A self-described Flint youth pastor was convicted this year of installing an eavesdropping system after an elaborate spy camera system was found in his bedroom.
...
A man hired to paint a Fenton Township tanning salon was placed on probation for two years and given six months in jail for eavesdropping after he pleaded no contest to eavesdropping amid allegations he secretly taped about a dozen women, including a 15-year-old girl.
...
Fears that someone is listening have even extended to township government. In 1996, Argentine Township spent $350 to make sure no bugs had been planted in the township hall, fire hall or police department. Everything down to the electrical outlets were swept, but no listening devices were found. (more)
$350.00? No devices found? I would love to know the rest of this story.
Police allege that a listening device intended to pick up conversations was discovered May 18 taped to the back of a desk.
Investigators believe a teacher planted it there to overhear discussions between her daughter and another teacher. There had been allegations of problems involving the daughter and class disruptions, police said.
...
In recent years, several people have been prosecuted in Genesee County for eavesdropping, usually for secretly photographing or taping people in bathrooms, bedrooms or other private places.
...
A self-described Flint youth pastor was convicted this year of installing an eavesdropping system after an elaborate spy camera system was found in his bedroom.
...
A man hired to paint a Fenton Township tanning salon was placed on probation for two years and given six months in jail for eavesdropping after he pleaded no contest to eavesdropping amid allegations he secretly taped about a dozen women, including a 15-year-old girl.
...
Fears that someone is listening have even extended to township government. In 1996, Argentine Township spent $350 to make sure no bugs had been planted in the township hall, fire hall or police department. Everything down to the electrical outlets were swept, but no listening devices were found. (more)
$350.00? No devices found? I would love to know the rest of this story.
SpyCam Story #359
MI - A Milford man known for his work as a freelance photographer of local youth athletes and community events could be facing years in prison after he allegedly set up a video camera in his home to watch young female visitors undress.
Michael Sharpe, 59, was arraigned last Thursday in Oakland County’s 52-1 District Court before Magistrate Michael Batchik on eight counts of possession of child sexually abusive material and two counts of felony eavesdropping. Each of the child pornography charges is punishable by up to four years in prison. The eavesdropping charges carry penalties up to two years in prison. (more)
Michael Sharpe, 59, was arraigned last Thursday in Oakland County’s 52-1 District Court before Magistrate Michael Batchik on eight counts of possession of child sexually abusive material and two counts of felony eavesdropping. Each of the child pornography charges is punishable by up to four years in prison. The eavesdropping charges carry penalties up to two years in prison. (more)
Walls With Real Ears?
Digital paper that can speak to you has been created by scientists. Researchers from Mid Sweden University have constructed an interactive paper billboard that emits recorded sound in response to a user's touch.
The team envisages that the technology could be used by advertisers, and in the future, it might even be employed for product packaging.
The key to the billboard's capabilities is a layer of digital paper that is embedded with electronics. Speakers are made by printing electromagnets out of conductive ink and stretching the paper over a cavity like a speaker cone behind the billboard. The electromagnets vibrate in response to a current, creating a sound. ...or vice versa, thus acting as a microphone (more)(more)
This scientific advancement is amazing. From our point of view it is also scary. Any first-year electronics student knows that speakers may also be used as microphones.
The team envisages that the technology could be used by advertisers, and in the future, it might even be employed for product packaging.
The key to the billboard's capabilities is a layer of digital paper that is embedded with electronics. Speakers are made by printing electromagnets out of conductive ink and stretching the paper over a cavity like a speaker cone behind the billboard. The electromagnets vibrate in response to a current, creating a sound. ...or vice versa, thus acting as a microphone (more)(more)
This scientific advancement is amazing. From our point of view it is also scary. Any first-year electronics student knows that speakers may also be used as microphones.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Alternate Universe TSCM Instrumentation?
by Kaden
"Welcome to Eccentric Genius...I'm Kaden;
I'm responsible.
More or less.
I build antiques from ...er ...somewhere else. A parallel universe where Leonardo Da Vinci, John Cleese and Jimmy Neutron spend every Tuesday night playing poker with Sherlock Holmes, and the Victorian era 'gentleman inventor' still toils diligently in his potting shed laboratory."
He builds other cool stuff, too.
Friday, June 1, 2007
A Tail of Two Kittys
It was the best of cats, and the worst of cats...
It's no great shock that cat lovers can get a little excessive when it comes to their feline friends. But one company, banking on the fact there are more than a few prospective pet owners willing to part with some serious ka-ching for a kitten, is selling a designer breed of cat that costs $22,000.
The Ashera, bred by Los Angeles-based Lifestyle Pets, "is a new ultra-exotic breed of domestic cat that already has wealthy animal devotees paying to get on the waiting list," the company press release claims. (more)
Cat breeders say descriptions of the Ashera bear a striking resemblance to an already recognized breed, dubbed the Savannah, which is a cross between a domestic cat and a wild African serval. (more)
We won't pussy-foot around on this one. This smells of either espionage, scam or blatant rip-off. Remember the Portuguese Water Dog v. Charlie Dog affair? Perhaps $22,000. is reasonable for a big kitty-cat? If so, we will name ours Audry III. "The guy sure looks like cat food to me."
It's no great shock that cat lovers can get a little excessive when it comes to their feline friends. But one company, banking on the fact there are more than a few prospective pet owners willing to part with some serious ka-ching for a kitten, is selling a designer breed of cat that costs $22,000.The Ashera, bred by Los Angeles-based Lifestyle Pets, "is a new ultra-exotic breed of domestic cat that already has wealthy animal devotees paying to get on the waiting list," the company press release claims. (more)
Cat breeders say descriptions of the Ashera bear a striking resemblance to an already recognized breed, dubbed the Savannah, which is a cross between a domestic cat and a wild African serval. (more)
We won't pussy-foot around on this one. This smells of either espionage, scam or blatant rip-off. Remember the Portuguese Water Dog v. Charlie Dog affair? Perhaps $22,000. is reasonable for a big kitty-cat? If so, we will name ours Audry III. "The guy sure looks like cat food to me."
Killer Pens
Privacy killing pens - audio & video - are out there, in force.
Know your enemy...
Sample features...
• 2-18 hours of recording time.
• Some record and store. Some transmit wirelessly.
• Automatic sensitivity - equalizes volume of near and far speakers.
• USB connection to computers for sound downloading and recharging.
• Easy to use.
• Good quality sound. Acceptable quality video.
Some look clunky, have strange buttons and are generally easy to detect visually.
Some are quite elegant and are difficult to detect visually.
Audio Models (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)
Video Models (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)
Cheap Imports (1)(2)(3)(4)
Once you are familiar with the Killer Pens it is time to check out the Killer Watches.
Know your enemy...
Sample features...
• 2-18 hours of recording time.
• Some record and store. Some transmit wirelessly.
• Automatic sensitivity - equalizes volume of near and far speakers.
• USB connection to computers for sound downloading and recharging.
• Easy to use.
• Good quality sound. Acceptable quality video.
Some look clunky, have strange buttons and are generally easy to detect visually.
Some are quite elegant and are difficult to detect visually.
Audio Models (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)
Video Models (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)
Cheap Imports (1)(2)(3)(4)
Once you are familiar with the Killer Pens it is time to check out the Killer Watches.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
"Muwha ha ha, next... killer mosquitoes!"
At some point in the not-too-distant future, a moth may take flight in the hills of northern Pakistan, and flap towards a suspected terrorist training camp. But this will be no ordinary moth.
Inside it will be a computer chip that was implanted when the creature was still a pupa, in the cocoon, meaning that the moth's entire nervous system can be controlled remotely.
The moth will thus be capable of landing in the camp without arousing suspicion, all the while beaming video and other information back to its masters via what its developers refer to as a "reliable tissue-machine interface."
The creation of insects whose flesh grows around computer parts — known from science fiction as cyborgs — has been described as one of the most ambitious robotics projects ever conceived by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Defense. (more)
When Business Infiltrates Protest Groups
New Zealand - The Alliance says the use of spies and private investigators on political groups by Solid Energy would end under full public and democratic control of electricity and other state owned assets.
The use of young people to infiltrate political groups by private investigators, who are linked to Solid Energy and other corporates, has been revealed by an investigative report in today's Sunday Star Times. (more)
The man who spied for state-owned company Solid Energy has faced up to one of the greenie friends he betrayed.
The 25-year-old Christchurch university student, Ryan Paterson, infiltrated an environmental group, Save Happy Valley, and for months passed information to a private eye about opposition to the company's planned West Coast coal mine.
"I mean I'm on the front page of the paper as a spy who would sell his soul to screw greenies and help big business," he says.
So what causes a man to rat on his friends and comrades? Love? Politics? "Money," he says. All up he received $2,000 to join the Save Happy Valley Coalition.
He says he feels terrible now because he came to believe in the cause. (more)
The use of young people to infiltrate political groups by private investigators, who are linked to Solid Energy and other corporates, has been revealed by an investigative report in today's Sunday Star Times. (more)
The man who spied for state-owned company Solid Energy has faced up to one of the greenie friends he betrayed.
The 25-year-old Christchurch university student, Ryan Paterson, infiltrated an environmental group, Save Happy Valley, and for months passed information to a private eye about opposition to the company's planned West Coast coal mine.
"I mean I'm on the front page of the paper as a spy who would sell his soul to screw greenies and help big business," he says.
So what causes a man to rat on his friends and comrades? Love? Politics? "Money," he says. All up he received $2,000 to join the Save Happy Valley Coalition.
He says he feels terrible now because he came to believe in the cause. (more)
Lawsuit claims bugs used to listen in on resident’s conversations
SC - Judy Johnson filed suit against Ambling Management Company, the company that oversees Pendleton Garden Apartments, for illegally recording private conversations on the apartment property.
The class action lawsuit challenges the legality of the installation of “listening, eavesdropping and/or bugging devises and/or video surveillance devices in and around the residential apartment complex” and benefits Ms. Johnson and anyone else “similarly situated, “ the lawsuit said.
Charles R. Griffin, attorney for Ms. Johnson, said the bugging was not only a violation of federal laws, but also a violation of Ms. Johnson’s right to privacy.
“She’s kind of upset about it. She contacted the housing authority about it and wasn’t able to get relief,” he said. “She is still living there. She’s very uncomfortable right now.”
According to the lawsuit, Ms. Johnson moved into an apartment at 210 Kirk Lane in Pendleton in March 2006. About a year later, she said she learned that “electronic, mechanical and/or other video and audio listening” equipment had been installed “in and around apartments” to “surreptitiously listen to tenants’, residents’ and guests’” conversations.”
Later, on March 31, 2007, the lawsuit said, an employee of Ambling admitted to the surveillance devices at a Crimestoppers meeting at the apartment complex. (more)
The class action lawsuit challenges the legality of the installation of “listening, eavesdropping and/or bugging devises and/or video surveillance devices in and around the residential apartment complex” and benefits Ms. Johnson and anyone else “similarly situated, “ the lawsuit said.
Charles R. Griffin, attorney for Ms. Johnson, said the bugging was not only a violation of federal laws, but also a violation of Ms. Johnson’s right to privacy.
“She’s kind of upset about it. She contacted the housing authority about it and wasn’t able to get relief,” he said. “She is still living there. She’s very uncomfortable right now.”
According to the lawsuit, Ms. Johnson moved into an apartment at 210 Kirk Lane in Pendleton in March 2006. About a year later, she said she learned that “electronic, mechanical and/or other video and audio listening” equipment had been installed “in and around apartments” to “surreptitiously listen to tenants’, residents’ and guests’” conversations.”
Later, on March 31, 2007, the lawsuit said, an employee of Ambling admitted to the surveillance devices at a Crimestoppers meeting at the apartment complex. (more)
Minor League Eavesdropping
Just seconds into the interview, Shiner catcher Maci Schaefer had to chase away one of her teammates who had cracked open the door to eavesdrop on the conversation.
"Get out!" Schaefer exclaimed. "She's trying to listen to me. Get out!"
It's all part of being the "big sister" on the Lady Comanches' softball team. (more)
"Get out!" Schaefer exclaimed. "She's trying to listen to me. Get out!"
It's all part of being the "big sister" on the Lady Comanches' softball team. (more)
Eavesdropping on the Loch Ness Monster
A science enthusiast from Yorkshire is making waves in Scotland after capturing video footage of what he believes could be the Loch Ness Monster.Gordon Holmes, from Shipley, travelled to the Scottish Highlands to use new hydrophone equipment in an attempt to eavesdrop on Nessie in the water. But after spending a day trying to get a sound recording of the monster, the 55-year-old believes he has gone one step further by capturing the creature on camera.
He said: "I was sat in a lay-by about 70ft above the loch – it was 10pm but the sun was still shining on the mountains on the other side. "I was minutes from going home and I had only..." (more)
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