LOS ANGELES : Guilty Plea Entered in Radio Contest Conspiracy
The mastermind behind a computer-based conspiracy to win radio contests offering trips, cars and cash prizes pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to seven criminal counts.
Kevin Lee Poulsen, 28, faces up to 40 years in prison and fines of $1.7 million, said Assistant U.S. Atty. David Schindler. Poulsen is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 17 by U.S District Judge Manuel Real.
Poulsen pleaded guilty to single counts of conspiracy, computer fraud, mail fraud, obstructing justice and money laundering, and two counts of intercepting a wire communication.
He had been accused with three others--who earlier pleaded guilty--of using computers to seize control of telephone lines to make sure they were the winning callers for giveaways by KIIS-FM, KRTH-FM and KPWR-FM. Between 1989 and 1992, prosecutors said, Poulsen and his friends won two Porsches, $20,000 and at least two trips to Hawaii.
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