TAMPA, Fla. -- A television station has agreed to pay the state $750,000 in an out-of-court settlement for tapping into another station's computer system, even though the station and its owners were never charged with any wrongdoing.
Chris Hoyer, chief assistant Hillsborough State Attorney, said Monday that under the terms of the settlement the state will not file suit to take over the station under the state's anti-racketeering law.
Terry Cole, former news director at WTSP in St. Petersburg, and his assistant Michael Shapiro, pleaded no contest Friday to charges they illegally tapped into the newsroom computer system of rival WTVT in Tampa, and were placed on five years probation.
Hoyer said the decision of WTSP officials to agree to the payment is not an admission station officials did anything wrong.
'They are not admitting liability,' Hoyer said. 'By this act, Channel 10 has come to us and said they are sorry for what their employees have done and would like to do something positive. This is a good thing. A lot of people will be helped by this.'
Under terms of the settlement, WTSP will contribute $400,000 to the state attorney's Victims Assistance Program, $250,000 to the State Attorney's Office for production and airing of public service announcements, and $100,000 jointly to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney's Office to cover the cost of the investigation of the computer hacking operation.
WTSP officials said in a statement Cole and Shapiro did 'a disservice to the public,' and said the station management never condoned the actions.
'We felt it appropriate that we express our regret by contributing to a fund designed to benefit future victims of crime in this state,' the statement read.
Hoyer said the settlement was the proper way to resolve the question of a lawsuit against the station. Under state law, a company's assets can be seized if it is proven employees acted illegally on company time to further the company.
'Those issues are only hazy at best,' he said.
He also said both sides agreed a suit to take over the station would result in years of litigation, would be expensive and not in the best interest of the community.
Hoyer said the state settlement does not shield WTSP from possible civil action by WTVT.
