Fergie's Tech Blog

VA Laptop Was Sold from the Back of a Truck

Bob Sullivan writes on The Red Tape Chronicles:

We have a few more details on what happened to the nation’s most famous runaway laptop computer during those mysterious two months it was missing, courtesy of NBC’s Pete Williams. We’re talking about the computer and hard drive that were stolen from a Department of Veterans Affairs employee in May, an incident that made headlines because the hardware contained private information on 26.5 million veterans and current GIs. Last week, VA chief Jim Nicholson announced in dramatic fashion that the prodigal computer had been found, but details about the return were sparing.

NBC’s Williams has been able to fill in some of the blanks after talking to law enforcement officials investigating the incident.

Both the laptop and hard drive ended up for sale at a black market just north of Washington D.C., near a subway station outside the Beltway near Wheaton. We’re talking about the kind of market that is literally run out of the back of a truck, one official said. Fortunately, a buyer purchased both components at this black market, keeping the missing hardware together.

posted by Fergie @ 7/03/2006 10:47:00 AM