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CHICAGO (STNG) - A New Trier High School senior arrested for allegedly hacking into computerized student records deserves some leniency because he’s already been punished by school officials, the teen’s attorney said Thursday.
Jonah Greenthal faces up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted of the misdemeanor computer-tampering charge filed against him last month.
Greenthal, 18, was suspended from school for 55 days after the alleged hacking in February, then was banned from last weekend’s graduation, said attorney Steven Glink as the teen made his first appearance in Cook County Circuit Court.
“It’s hard on him. He’s an 18-year-old kid who was barred from his graduation,” Glink said. “It was very upsetting to him.”
Greenthal, who was allowed to receive his diploma, is accused of breaching the school’s academic database, which contained test scores, grades and class rankings. But the teen isn’t accused of destroying any data, though Glink wouldn’t comment on why Greenthal may have hacked into the system.
“There’s no allegation he changed or tampered with anything,” Glink said, adding he believes a plea deal could be quickly reached. “He’s really a good kid. I’m hoping we can work out an agreement that will satisfy everyone involved.”
New Trier officials couldn’t be reached for comment.
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