February 23, 10

NEWS / Inquiry into Lower Merion School District Activating Web Cams on Student Issued Computers

United States Attorney Michael L. Levy and FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Janice Fedarcyk announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation would be involved in the inquiry into allegations that the Lower Merion School District activated web cams on computers issued to students. Ordinarily, federal law enforcement agencies do not confirm the existence of an investigation. The Department of Justice does have an exception for matters that have already received substantial publicity, or where the community needs to be reassured that law enforcement is investigating the incident.

Levy said, “We intend to work as a team with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the Montgomery County Detectives, and the Lower Merion Police Department to determine if any crimes were committed. The issues raised by these allegations are wide-ranging and involve the meeting of the new world of cyberspace with that of physical space. Our focus will only be on whether anyone committed any crimes. At this point, very few facts are known. Our first responsibility will be to conduct an orderly investigation to learn the facts. Only then, will we be able to make any judgments regarding violations of the laws. We do not intend to comment any further before our investigation is complete.”

http://philadelphia.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/ph022210a.htm