Texas Hacker Charged in Western PA Healthcare Heist

Texas Hacker Charged in Western PA Healthcare Heist

A Texas resident has been charged with hacking and damaging computers at a Western PA healthcare facility, causing a loss of over $5,000.

Brandon A. Coughlin, 29, of Houston, Texas, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Intentional Damage to a Protected Computer and Wire Fraud, United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

According to the indictment, Coughlin intentionally hacked and damaged 13 servers operated by the healthcare facility and engaged in a scheme to defraud that healthcare facility by using its purchase card to order merchandise from Staples.

After being hired as an in-house computer systems administrator on January 16, 2013, Coughlin resigned from the position on February 4, 2013. However, using the administrative passwords he knew from his employment, Coughlin hacked the computer network of the healthcare facility on September 18, 2013, disabling all administrative accounts and deleting users’ network shares, business data, and patient health information data, including patient medical records.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Coughlin waived his appearance at today’s arraignment hearing before Chief Magistrate Judge Maureen Kelly. The case has been assigned to Chief U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti. Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case. An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.