Pair Get Probation for Tapping Into Computer

Two former television newsmen pleaded no contest Friday to charges that they illegally tapped into the computer system of a rival station and were sentenced to five years on probation.

Terry Cole, 33, former news director of WTSP in St. Petersburg, and former assistant news director Michael Shapiro, 33, were fired after they were charged earlier this year with breaking into the computer system of station WTVT of Tampa and into the system of the station’s consulting firm.

Judge Edward Ward withheld findings of guilt against both men, leaving them a clean record if they successfully complete probation.

Ward said the two overstepped the line ethically and morally in a compulsion to succeed.