Colorado
Personal information exposed during cyberattack on Colorado office
![Personal information exposed during cyberattack on Colorado office](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2020/10/29/c2bf06ef-a854-4fb6-9342-12ca556406de/thumbnail/1200x630/a4624d6df66b0185645819cabe0d193c/GettyImages-542057882.jpg?v=d1d78866939020fc1f2607ef7298e4ec)
A Colorado state office announced Friday that some personal information of its clients was exposed during a cyberattack launched against the office’s computer system more than a month ago.
The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender first identified computer systems that were locked on Feb. 9.
“Some data within our computer system was encrypted by malware,” an office spokesman, Director of Legislative Policy and External Communications James Karbach, told CBS News Colorado on Feb. 12. “As a preventative measure, we temporarily disabled our computer network and are working to safely and securely bring systems back online. Our operations will be limited while the network is offline.”
RELATED Colorado State Public Defenders office hit with cyberattack
Friday, an updated statement from the office provided new details about the extent of the damage. Although most public defender offices in the state have regained use, the computer system is not yet fully operational. Plus, an untold number of files were copied “in early February,” per the office. Those files involved may include an individuals’ name, Social Security number, driver’s license or identification card number, other government identification numbers, medical information, and/or health insurance identification number.
OSPD personnel, according to the office’s statement, continue working to resolve the malware issues while simultaneously investigating how the malware incident was caused. Law enforcement has also been contacted.
Also, the office is still in the process of determining the specific people whose information was exposed. Meantime, clients of the office were advised to watch for criminal attempts to steal their identity or gain access to their financial accounts, and to take steps if such activity was detected.
OSPD also invited clients to write its downtown Denver office on South Broadway.
The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender provides court-appointed legal representation to people charged with crimes who cannot afford their own attorney.
Details about the extent of the impact to court cases were not released.
“If cases have been affected, we have worked to reschedule clients’ hearings and trials to ensure they are provided fulsome and effective representation,” OSPD’s Zachary Brown stated in an email. “We will continue to do that if cases are impacted.”
The office did not answer questions pertaining to any ransom paid as a result of the cyberattack, nor did it respond when asked if criminal evidence was among the files which were hacked.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Colorado
Northbound crash on I-25 and Fillmore slows traffic in Colorado Springs Monday morning | KRDO
![Northbound crash on I-25 and Fillmore slows traffic in Colorado Springs Monday morning | KRDO](https://krdo.b-cdn.net/2024/07/thumbnail_AX1.jpg)
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — A crash along I-25 slows down drivers traveling north during the Monday morning commute.
According to our KRDO photographer on scene, it looks like the crash is between two different vehicles going northbound on I-25 just past the Fillmore exit. Backups extend to the Nevada/Tejon exit.
One driver was checked out by the Colorado Springs Fire Department but wasn’t taken to the hospital, according to those on scene. One northbound lane is closed as the crash gets cleaned up.
At this time, add an extra 15-30 minutes to your drive if you are planning on traveling I-25 north of downtown Colorado Springs.
KRDO NewsChannel 13 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.
Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here
If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.
Colorado
Who was Jesse Hamric? Colorado teen dies after jumping into electrified Virginia lake during 4th of July celebrations
![Who was Jesse Hamric? Colorado teen dies after jumping into electrified Virginia lake during 4th of July celebrations](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2024/07/08/1600x900/www-tiktok-com-jesse-hamric-85113326_1720416931654_1720416938087.webp)
A Colorado teen died after jumping into an electrified lake during 4th of July celebrations. Friends of 18-year-old Jesse Hamric realised something was wrong as soon as he dove into the water at Smith Mountain Lake outside Roanoke, Virginia.
Hamric’s friends jumped into the water after him, and immediately felt themselves getting shocked. They sustained injuries themselves, but managed to pull Hamric out, WDBJ reported. One of the friends called for help, while another began CPR on Hamric.
Hamric was eventually rushed to a hospital by a rescue crew. He later died. Two of his friends sustained minor injuries.
Fire crews investigated the incident and an official with the Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Rescue Dive Team confirmed that there were electrical currents in the water where Hamric died, caused by stray voltage spreading from a dock at a private residence located nearby. No foul play is suspected in Hamric’s death, according to ABC13.
Who was Jesse Hamric?
Hamric was a Steamboat Springs native. At the time of the incident, he was visiting friends with his family. Hamric excelled on the football and baseball teams in Steamboat Springs High School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and had just graduated in May.
“Ever since I first met that kid, I mean, he’s like one of a kind,” Hamric’s friend Alex Schwab told KDVR. “You see him and you just, like, he always has a smile on his face.”
“Still can’t even like process it. I’m so upset by it,” he added.
Hamric was the son of Jay Hamric, the school’s principal, according to Independent. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a recent Steamboat Springs High School graduate,” the school said in a statement. “Please take a moment to care for yourself, lean into those around you for support, and care for each other. Our thoughts are with all of you.”
A GoFundMe has been launched to “support the family and to fund a “Jesse Cyrus Hamric Foundation for Courage and Love”.” “Jesse was a dearly loved friend, bringing light and positivity everywhere he went, and he will be missed everyday,” the page reads.
Colorado
Colorado businesswoman found guilty of defrauding government of nearly half million dollars
![Colorado businesswoman found guilty of defrauding government of nearly half million dollars](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/07/07/515d2d08-7f87-4a02-971e-4aa31c3390d8/thumbnail/1200x630/f9dd5594a9bcece3ba6357ab2fa9266a/pandemic-funds-trial-shambrica-solo-for-web.jpg?v=57e8061b2038d609da26e467de5ddfb8)
A woman accused of filing false documents for federal COVID support for her online businesses — and of receiving almost a half million dollars before federal authorities cut her off — was recently convicted on all charges by a Denver jury.
Shambrica Washington, 39, was found guilty on all 31 counts of wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and false claims.
The jury reached its verdict on June 28, the fourth day of what was scheduled to be a five-day trial in federal court.
Former Colorado data company executive convicted of mail and wire fraud, sold data on millions of people
According to federal prosecutors, Washington was the owner of Tiny Toes and Tiaras, an online luxury baby apparel boutique, and TrueLove’s Daughters, a non-profit focused on female empowerment. Between March and July 2020, Washington obtained loans from the Small Business Administration for two Economic Injury Disaster Loans and from JPMorgan Chase for two PPP loans for a total of $485,749.00. The applications for the loans contained false information about how many people were employed by her businesses and the businesses’ wages, revenues, and costs of operation, according to prosecutors.
Additionally, prosecutors claimed Washington used the illegally obtained money to purchase a car and a custom-built home, pay for elective surgery, and pay credit card debt and other bills.
Washington also applied for millions of dollars in additional loans, grants, and tax credits which were not granted, according to prosecutors. These included a $6 million SBA grant intended for shuttered concert venues.
Washington and her husband Jean Victor Damus lived in Fountain at the time of the infractions. They moved to Allen, Texas, in the fall of 2020. There, prosecutors claimed, Washington continued to file false information for federal COVID relief funds on behalf of at least one other company also based on high-end children’s fashion.
The couple sold their Fountain home for $420,000 but only needed a loan of less than $24,000 to complete the purchase of the $1,140,000 (assessed value) home in Texas, according to a search of online public records.
RELATED Small businesses got more than $200 billion in potentially fraudulent COVID loans, report says
A federal indictment was first filed against the couple in June 2022. Victor Damus reached a plea deal with prosecutors a year later and was sentenced last November on a single count of False Claims to the Internal Revenue Service. He received a sentence of three years of supervised probation.
Washington, meanwhile, fought the accusations. Very publicly, in some cases. In the lead-up to the trial, an X account operated by a Shaye Damus of Colorado Springs railed on local, state and federal authorities: “KKK country N Colorado. Corruption stemming from local law enforcement N El Paso County all the way 2 the DOJ N FBI. When will it end,” was posted on March 7, 2023. “When will black people be free in this country?”
RELATED U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado indicts Denver hotel owner on COVID fraud
Federal authorities claimed Washington failed to list her criminal record on at least one application for federal funds. Washington pleaded guilty to identity theft in El Paso County court in June 2020 – during the time she was allegedly filling out falsified federal applications. She was given a two-year deferred sentence in the county case along with 100 hours of community service. That county case has since been re-opened, however. Washington is scheduled to appear in a review hearing Thursday.
She faces a judge for the federal fraud sentencing in late September.
IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI Denver Field Office conducted the federal investigation.
-
World1 week ago
Tension and stand-offs as South Africa struggles to launch coalition gov’t
-
News1 week ago
4 killed, 9 injured after vehicle crashes into Long Island nail salon
-
News1 week ago
Supreme Court denies Steve Bannon's plea to stay free while he appeals
-
News1 week ago
Video: How Blast Waves Can Injure the Brain
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump says 'biggest problem' not Biden's age, 'decline,' but his policies in first appearance since debate
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Movie review: A Quiet Place, quivering since Day One
-
News1 week ago
Increasing numbers of voters don’t think Biden should be running after debate with Trump — CBS News poll
-
World1 week ago
Caribbean braces for ‘very dangerous’ Hurricane Beryl