L.A.-Area Man First In Nation Convicted Under 2003 Can-Spam Act

[engine]

A man faces a sentence of up to 101 years in federal prison after being the first person in the U.S. convicted under a federal anti-spam law, authorities said.

Jeffrey Brett Goodin, 45, of Azusa, was found guilty Friday of running a 'phishing' scheme that tricked people into believing they were giving personal information to a legitimate business. Prosecutors said Goodin then used the information to go on a spending spree.

Goodin is the first person in the nation convicted under the 2003 CAN-SPAM Act, the U.S. attorney's office said. The law forbids e-mail marketers from sending false or misleading messages and requires them to provide recipients with a way to opt out of receiving future mailings.

L.A.-Area Man First In Nation Convicted Under 2003 Can-Spam Act [siliconvalley.com]

[sullen]

but surely thhere are anti-fraud laws in the US that would cover that kind of behaviour anyway? I want to see a legitimate business convicted for spamming.

[pageoneresults]

Goodin is scheduled to be sentenced June 11.

I wonder if he is sitting in the County Jail right now or out on bail?

Since this is a first, Goodin is probably in for quite a shock. He is facing 101 years, those are calculated consecutively to make it seem severe. They'll probably plea bargain to lesser charges but Goodin will most likely do a bit of time, especially since it is Federal.

Okay, that's one down and millions more to go. Phishing is a nasty business.

[LifeinAsia]

but surely thhere are anti-fraud laws in the US that would cover that kind of behaviour anyway?

Hwy, whatever works to get a conviction! Also, it's a good high-profile way to show that the CAN-SPAM Act actually has some teeth. As long as the conviction isn't overturned in an appeal, it sets a good precedent for future trials.