Attacking the Messenger

Stephen Heller worked as a word processor at Jones Day International Law Firm, the firm that represents Diebold in California. He found memos that showed that two attorneys for Jones Day had discussed the fact that what Diebold was doing with it's software was illegal. The memos also speculate whether the California Secretary of State had the authority to investigate. There is also documentation that Jones Day told Diebold that what they were doing with their software was illegal.

The memos were exposed in 2004 and the Sec. of State and Attorney General got involved. They ordered Diebold to make specific programming changes and re-submit the new software to the state for approval.

The software was later re-submitted with the assurance from Jones Day that all the problems had been fixed. The release notes proved otherwise. Heller has evidence that shows that Jones Day conspired with Diebold to lie and cover up the fact that the software had not been fixed.

Stephen Heller was charged in Los Angeles Superior Court Wednesday with felony access to computer data, commercial burglary, and receiving stolen property. If convicted on all charges, he could serve up to 3 years 8 months in prison. He would also lose his right to vote.

Peter Soby Jr. has a great article about this at Huffington Post. He is urging everyone who cares about whistleblower's rights to email, call or write the L.A. District Attorney's office. But don't forget that you will be speaking with a branch of law enforcement, so be nice.

Soby Jr. also posted some talking points to focus on:

-Don't prosecute Heller. He is not a criminal.
-Diebold is the criminal. Heller exposed Diebold's criminal activity. He is a whistleblower and should not be prosecuted.
-Diebold's election malfeasance strikes at the very heart of our democratic republic. Without clean elections, we don't have a democracy anymore. Those who expose such crimes should not be prosecuted.

Please contact the L.A. District Attorney at lada@co.la.ca.us

District Attorney's Office
County of Los Angeles
210 West Temple Street, Suite 18000
Los Angeles, CA 90012-3210

Phone: 213-974-3512
Fax: 213-974-1484

Heller should not be imprisoned while the criminal activity at the center of his troubles goes unpunished. We have to show those crooks that we are paying attention to Diebold, that we are paying attention to the treatment of whistleblowers, and that we don't get our news from the television anymore. Make your voice heard.