Comment by ricree 3 days ago
I remember reading about this when it first happened. Glad there was at least a somewhat positive outcome.
For reference, here is the HN thread shortly after the arrest: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21000273
The 6 year, $600K lawsuit was something they initiated against the county.
The initial charges against them were initially dropped to misdemeanors and then dismissed entirely, but that was a separate matter resolved earlier.
Even being charged without conviction can result in a serious reduction in job opportunities.
Is that accurate? Being charged with a crime but then having charges subsequently dropped shouldn't show up in a background check. Plus, given their line of work, I think in their profession it would basically be a badge of honor.
how much did those lawyers cost to get the criminal charges dropped?
600k would certainly be on the high end, but 50k wouldn't be crazy.
and then impacts for their career, sheer ineptitude of the gubmnt, etc.
This isn't a felony case. In fact, I'm not sure it ever was? It's not clear from their amended complaint, but they were ultimately charged with simple trespassing, a misdemeanor. Those trespassing charges were themselves dismissed a few months later.
What we're talking about today is the resolution of what looks to me (not a lawyer) mostly like a defamation case. Were they defamed? Absolutely. The problem is, to get anything useful out of a defamation case, you need to demonstrate damages. They were accused of a crime --- per se defamation --- but the point of the suit is to recover damages.
I don't want to be glib, and I'm very prepared to be wrong, but the Dallas County Courthouse Incident is likely one of the top 3 world events to have happened to both these pentesters. They've been cause celebres in the field for years and years. It might be pretty tricky to actually demonstrate damages.
I'd gladly take such a payout.
Split 2 ways, that is still 300k.
Parked in an investment at 5% a year, that's an easy +$15,000/year for the rest of your life.
Darknet Diaries did an interview with the two pentesters: https://darknetdiaries.com/episode/59/
I really hope he brings them back for a follow-up now that it's settled. (And I've requested it on fedi.)
$600k for 6 years of legal battle and facing felony charges? no bueno