Harvard Bomb Threat Hoax Mastermind Gets Slap on the Wrist

By Jack Harris, Crime Reporter for Grimy Times

A Manchester, N.H., man has been sentenced to three years of probation for making a series of extortionate bomb threats against one of the world’s most prestigious institutions – Harvard University.

William A. Giordani, 55, was slapped with the lenient sentence by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley for his role in causing chaos and panic on the campus of Harvard University on April 13, 2023. The defendant’s actions resulted in the evacuation of the Science Center Plaza and surrounding academic buildings, as well as the controlled detonation of a hoax device that authorities later determined was made up of fireworks and electrical wires.

According to court documents, Giordani was recruited to join the extortion scheme via a Craigslist advertisement. Despite knowing he had been recruited to assist in an extortionate bomb scheme, Giordani failed to report the scheme to authorities. Instead, he deleted incriminating text messages, told his girlfriend not to speak to anyone about it, and went on the run from police.

In January 2024, Giordani pleaded guilty to one count of concealing a federal felony. The bomb threats, which included a caller demanding an unspecified amount in Bitcoin to prevent the remote detonation of the bombs, caused significant disruption and anxiety for students and staff at Harvard University.

The investigation, which involved multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Harvard University Police Department, and Cambridge Police Department, revealed that Giordani was not the mastermind behind the extortion scheme. However, his role in carrying out the threats and his subsequent attempts to evade authorities earned him a serious federal felony charge.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, FBI Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen, and Harvard University Police Chief Victor Clay were among those who praised the efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. McNeil of the National Security Unit prosecuted the case.

Giordani’s sentence has sparked debate among some in the community, with some questioning why he did not receive a more severe punishment for his role in the bomb threats. However, the lenient sentence has been defended by Giordani’s lawyers, who argue that their client’s actions were not taken lightly and that he has taken steps to make amends for his role in the extortion scheme.

As the investigation into the bomb threats continues, Grimy Times will provide updates on any new developments in the case.