Man Guilty in ‘Logic Bomb’ Case

A Los Angeles computer programmer was found guilty Wednesday of one count of computer crime stemming from what authorities have described as an attempt to sabotage his former firm’s computer system.

Dennis Lee Williams, 33, authorities say, set up a “logic bomb” in the computer system of Collins Foods International Inc., a Los Angeles-based firm that owns and operates more than 200 Sizzler steakhouses and Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises.

Williams, who could face up to three years in prison when sentenced by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kathleen Parker on July 31, was convicted of setting up the program designed to shut down important data files. The program, which had not been activated to go off, was discovered by another employee in May, 1982, about one week after both Williams and co-defendant Michael Scott Lampert quit their jobs.

Both men were found not guilty of one count each of computer crime and conspiracy to commit computer crime. The jury could not reach a verdict on a second count of computer crime against Lampert.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Clifton Garrott said Williams planted the logic bomb because he was “dissatisfied with the company and in particular, one employee, a supervisor.”