BBV: Secret Service wants to interview me about VoteHere "hack"

[BevHarris]

By the way, a related post is important, about the meeting tomorrow night:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=993519

OK, the following strange little saga still just doesn't sit right with me. Creative writing assignment -- which ones connect to which? Here are a bunch of unrelated incidents, some of which probably tie together, some are probably just incidental. Anyone here a novelist who can weave an explanation out of some of the following pieces?

1. October, shortly after the California recall election: VoteHere "source code" started getting peddled around to activists. It was done in a way that smelled of entrapment efforts -- specifically, by sending an e-mail which directed the recipient to click a link to VoteHere source code. I got the email, but certainly didn't click the link, and notified others to avoid it, as it sounded like an entrapment effort. More on that at http://www.blackboxvoting.org (requires a scroll down).

2. December 16: Andy Stephenson and I revealed that former Washington secretary of state Ralph Munro (currently chairman of VoteHere), and current secretary of state Sam Reed, had presided over the use of unauthorized software in at least five Washington counties. At the same time, we revealed that convicted felon Jeffrey Dean had been given a position with total access to the King County vote tabulation system. (Later, we found that he also apparently had access to components of the touch screen system, the optical scan machines, and the punch card and optical scan ballots used in many states).

On the same day, after being harangued by Washington State legislators earlier insisting on a paper ballot, current Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed announced that Washington would get a "paper trail" -- but reading the fine print, this promise had what we call a "VoteHere clause" -- it said a paper trail OR a method to individually verify ballots. VoteHere is a printout with a code on it that you go compare with the Internet and it is supposed to tell you your voted was properly recorded.

3. December 30: Andy Stephenson and I visited secretary of state Sam Reed's office, requesting the signature pages for the so-called "certified" Diebold software used in Washington State. We were given only three pages, and they did not cover many versions we knew to be in use. One, with former secretary of state (now chairman of VoteHere) Ralph Munro's signature, had the ink bleeding through the page. I couldn't really tell if it was wet or not. Certainly, whatever they handed us was an original.

4. Last week: VoteHere does a full blown press deal announcing they have been "hacked." This comes complete with publicity photo. Strange, because they are an encryption company that specializes in Internet voting and voting security. Seemed odd to make a big announcement about being hacked, seemed odd that they were "hacked" in the first place, the alleged theft of source code seemed odd, since VoteHere had planned to make it public anyway through Dr. Dill's web site this fall. It also seemed strange that they were announcing it Dec. 30 or whatever, since it was alleged to have happened in October.

What struck me as even more peculiar was Jim Adler's assertion in his MSNBC interview that VoteHere's "hacker" somehow triggered a trip wire and they were supposedly watching him as he hacked; it also seemed strange that they were saying they knew who the hacker was -- if so, why hadn't he been arrested? I thought it was mighty convenient that the hacker was alleged to be an "activist" who was against e-voting. And to add to the pile of things that didn't smell right, they insisted this "hacker" also "hacked" the Diebold memos. Now, some say that claiming origination to the Diebold memos may be worth tens of millions in Qui Tam whistleblower money. But who would believe you, if you claimed you hacked the Diebold memos -- unless you did something like "hack" VoteHere also? Pure speculation, and only worth a "hmmm."

5. On the same day, Andy started getting followed by a dark colored GMC Envoy, and this continued to the point that he called the police, who showed up to interview the follower. Nothing resulted and the follower drove away, but showed up again a couple days later.

6. Andy and I went back to visit several locations in the Washington state capitol Monday Jan. 5, with a videographer. One place Andy visited was the secretary of state's office, where he again attempted, unsuccessfully, to get the secretary of state signature pages from Ralph Munro and Sam Reed for software used in our elections.

Another lengthy visit was with the executive ethics division. I discussed ethics complaints filed against former secretary of state now VoteHere chairman Ralph Munro, for his inappropriate and precocious involvement with VoteHere; I am also pushing ethics complaints on three more individuals associated with the secretary of state's office, in connection with inappropriate activities connected to VoteHere. I'm not going into more detail, since there are others involved in this. Suffice it to say there seems to be a pattern of cross-hiring between the S.O.S. office and VoteHere, and there also seems to be inappropriate vendor promotion going on by the S.O.S. office in connection with VoteHere and one of VoteHere's contractual liasons, Sequoia.

7. Two days later, I get a call from the Secret Service, wanting to interview me in connection with the VoteHere "hack." Now, I had reported the entrapment effort to the FBI (who has told me that VoteHere had not reported the hack to them). This was not the followup interview for my FBI report, but the Secret Service. He said that the Secret Service runs the Cyber-Crime unit in coordination with the FBI, but he was calling me based on my posts on the Web, not based on my report to the FBI. He was not aware that I had reported the entrapment attempt to the FBI.

I did say in my online posts that I'd be delighted to speak with the cops. I am not surprised by the contact, and I do have information that may be valuable but I find the timing rather interesting.

I do encourage as many of you as possible to attend the meeting described in the link at the top of this post. If you live in Washington (or Portland) take a moment to read through that message. I believe it will be well worth the effort to attend.

Bev Harris

[punpirate]

1. The following may be instructive....

http://www.secretservice.gov/net_intrusion_forms.shtml

It seems the Secret Service is involved with computer financial crimes, as they are an adjunct of Treasury.

Did VoteHere establish a financial loss in the matter? If not, perhaps the issue has improperly involved the Secret Service.

Edit for syntax.

Cheers.

[BevHarris]

3. VoteHere asserts that there was no financial loss, I believe

Thanks. Damn you're quick.

Bev

[creativelcro]

2. So, could it be that VoteHere self-hacked ???

I'm still sitting on that Qui Tam conversation we had because at the time it seemed like there was not much evidence, but only a lot of speculation. And it was becoming messy. For a while I thought the Qui Tam possibility did not exist, but some of these recent events do not seem random; there is a pattern, but it's not clear what it means yet... I assume your debriefing by the FBI will be confidential... If not, I'd love to hear how it goes...

[BevHarris]

4. Well, I don't like to be gagged. They'll have to convince me

that it serves some purpose. My meeting is with the Secret Service -- I will contact my FBI contact tomorrow to let them know of the SS interview.

Bev

[creativelcro]

9. Wow, perhaps there is a Qui Tam in progress

and you're called as a witness ??

[DUreader]

5. Hey Bev, You Need to Fix That Link

Cheers

[BevHarris]

7. Thanks, it's fixed. n/t

.

[Stephanie]

6. Has anyone heard from a certain someone recently?

A certain dirty trickster?

[creativelcro]

8. oh, that one... Nope... Busy covering his/her tracks

[Coldgothicwoman]

10. The tripwire you describe

sounds as if they are claiming that the 'hacker' tripped a honeypot, which is a system set up to look like the primary machine when in fact it is not -- basically, a fake system designed to log the actions and movements of a hacker. A lot of IDS systems are built around watching the attack tree patterns of hackers who fall into a honeypot.

Don't know if that is useful, Bev, but I at least thought I would contribute.

[creativelcro]

12. Yeah... It is a possibility. That after the Diebold problems

VoteHere set up a honeypot and some fly got caught in it...

[BevHarris]

15. Well, not exactly -- here are two scenarios

If VoteHere uses Bruce Schneier security measures, they would have a real person detecting incoming hacks. Said real person would be the "trip wire."

If VoteHere set up a honey pot, or some permutation of same, I think it was more likely a snare for activists than for a hacker. I spoke with the "hacker" who said he just went right on in and stole the file and it was "easy" and took only 10 minutes or so to do. I think the honey pot would have been the offering of this supposedly stolen file to activists. I've done some hard thinking, though, and I just don't see any of them being naive enough to bite.

It's that assertion that it's an activist that makes me wonder whether there was a hack at all. Think about it -- there are only a few activists who it could be. To hack in, you'd need to have computer skills. We have people with computer skills, but most are academics. It is inconcievable to me that Dr. Rebecca Mercuri or Doug Jones would consider such a thing for a moment.

Then there are the activists who are computer people but not academics. But I know most of them pretty well. I have a hard time imagining that any of them would be either naive enough to take the files offered or interested in VoteHere source code anyway. I certainly can't imagine anyone hacking in. We've not had to go looking for new stuff -- between the Diebold files, the Sequoia stuff left out on an open web site, and all the memos, who would have wasted time on this anyway?

That's why I think there is more to it.

Bev

[hunter]

19. Flies or Winnie the Pooh.

"Oh bother," as Pooh would say.

This is a kick.

[Andy_Stephenson]

11. WOW

:wow: I wish to heck you would call me bev.

[bobbyboucher]

13. From a pay phone

to a pay phone.

[creativelcro]

16. LOL: not after having sen phonebooth!!

[Rex]

14. Sounds like a fishing expedition to me.

How hard would it be for someone in Ashcroft's office to call up someone in the Secret Service and let them in on the 'bait & switch' plan? Not hard at all. IMO they are looking for a patsy.

Did you do a follow up with the police on who the owner of the GMC Envoy was?

Is it illegal for a convicted felon to be involved with state/federal elections?

[FreakinDJ]

17. My thought exactly

Looking to shut some one up here

[Zan_of_Texas]

18. fishing

I've seen the FBI use fishing expeditions before. Looking for one bona fide criminal, went knocking on lots of doors of people "like that" person. It happened to be a subculture they had no real understanding or knowledge of, and gee while they were there, they could see what was up.

I remember later (this was the 1970s), at least one person was surprised and amused to look at their FBI file and find a record of the posters they had left on the wall of an apartment they had moved out of. Hey, it's bureaucracy.

In this case, there may or may not be a bona fide theft to investigate.

VoteHere is sure heating up.

[Rex]

20. When you have nothing on someone...plant & invent a motive.

Today's climate (with RW State Media) is perfect for Federal Enforcement to see how far they can push the envelope.
Have to wonder how many 'near' crimes have gone to court and paid for a lax public eye.

[Unforgiven]

46. Agreed

Fishing to see what if anything can be done. Better plan on having a witness or two on hand for this event and have a lawyer present. But I'm not telling you anything you don't know. What if you had F.B.I there as well? This might put a bit of a kink in the plans? Maybe?
My Gut tells me there may be an advantage to that scenario, I don't know why but every time I ignore a gut instinct, I end up on the short end.

[regnaD kciN]

51. I second this!!!

Better plan on having a witness or two on hand for this event and have a lawyer present.

At least the bit about the lawyer. Sorry to sound paranoid, but I wouldn't put it past TPTB to try to "frame" you as the hacker. I don't want you going to that interview and finding yourself holed up in solitary for the next year, while they trumpet to the press that they caught their hacker...and, what do you know, it turned out to be a "far-left activist" trying to cast aspersions on their "perfect voting system."

:scared:

[mouse7]

21. I just wanted to say thanks.

I've been following you work on computerized voting since almost the beginning. However, I've been mosly a lurker and never really stepped forward to talk about anything. I de-lurked to say my piece about attacking people in the Party.

Anyway, I just want to say thinks for all the hard work you've done on this. There's a lot of people that are following everything as it unfold, but don't feel the need to contribute, or in my case are qualified to contribute to the process. However, we are reading what's happeneing, relaying links to friends, and filling in others when new developments happen.

Thanks for all that you have done on this. There's a lot of people really proud of you out here.

[Dover]

22. How does one verify that the person they're speaking to is legit

...in this case the Secret Service?

Will you be accompanied by someone (husband or friend?)

[OldSoldier]

24. Government agents have credentials with the agency name on them

You ask to see the credentials if he doesn't show them to you when he introduces himself; if the agent's who he says he is, he will show them to you immediately. IIRC, a government-issue badge & credentials case has the badge to the left and the creds to the right or, when held so you can read the credentials, badge to top and creds to bottom.

Then call the local office of that agency--recommend that because you're dealing with the Secret Service you look up their number beforehand. Ask if Special Agent Sam Lowry is employed with the Secret Service. If SA Lowry really does work there, they'll confirm it.

[cthrumatrix]

23. they are setting a track to stop your efforts...and the secret service is

invloved....now that answers the question about how close you are to the truth.

the secret service should be on the team promoting fair adn equal elections ...making sure there is zero fraud.

i would think they would compliment your work

[creativelcro]

30. it is not clear the SS are harrassing Bev, yet..

Let's see how the meeting goes. Perhaps she's is just considered a witness, or a person who might help them dig into something...

[zeemike]

25. This is all way over my head

But do you have a good lawyer? And I would document everything and record every conversation.
These people are not only mean but also sneaky and not above anything.
Good luck to you all.

[stickdog]

26. What the hell does the Secret Service have to do with this? (nt)

[SaddenedDem]

27. Agreed.

This makes no sense at all. Computer hacking is NOT a crime under the mandate of the Secret Service.

[truthspeaker]

28. actually it is

The Secret Service investigates counterfeiting, credit-card fraud, and electronic banking fraud, and they've been involved in hacking investigations at least since the 80s.

[Gin]

29. kick

gin

[BevHarris]

32. Patriot Act launched Secret Service cybercrime division

www.techtv.com/news/securityalert/ story/0,24195,3376038,00.html

"The Secret Service was mandated by the USA Patriot Act to establish a nationwide network of Electronic Crimes Task Forces ... The task forces mark a new direction for the Secret Service. That direction involves a more inclusive approach to crime fighting that invites industry and academia to join law enforcement in attacking cybercrime ... The task forces actively seek the involvement of business as well, and the Secret Service won some points by cracking a fraud case involving the airlines' online ticketing ... The task forces are located in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and Charlotte, North Carolina ... To contact the Electronic Crimes Task Force, send an email to [email protected].

[radwriter0555]

33. Bev, have you contacted the ACLU? I could be wrong, but they could

be very interested in this, and I believe you should absolutely have an ACLU representative present with you at all times whenever you speak with any of these law enforcement agencies.

And stay out of small planes and crosswalks.

[Champion Jack]

31. Morning Kick--from the west coast

[TacticalPeek]

34. Kick.

[RedEagle]

35. These guys need to show you some evidence

Whew! Now I know why I've not been getting through the other avenues.

Lots of good stuff previously. Yes, have a lawyer with you, if you can. Document the meeting, on video tape or cassette recorder. Check credentials.

Hard to know what generated this. Did it come from VoteHere or did they get interested in the stories around it?

They need to show some proof that a crime was actually committed, that VoteHere really had something hacked. Without that, there is very little reason for all of this.

[loudsue]

36. Great gobs of goose goo....this is scarey!

I am SOOOO proud of you guys! You show more courage on a daily basis than most people I've known have shown their whole lives. You are definitely moving around in sacred territory when the SS, the FBI, and stealth vehicles are watching you so carefully.

There has been speculation for many years, among tinfoilhatters of some repute, that elections all over the world have been "decided" by certain powers that be...unseen...before those elections ever took place. The fact that what we're fighting for here is LEGITIMATE ELECTIONS, what mafia of what size could want that NOT to happen.

When people are elected to offices that exert considerable influence, they are in positions to affect the fortunes of many interested parties: individuals, groups, and corporations. When there is a great deal at stake, attempted shennanigans SHOULD BE EXPECTED! We need the citizens to be the 'vote police' to make sure the powerful are the ones WE give the power to.

And we OBVIOUSLY need VOTE POLICE in this country now. How much more proof do we need than what can be found in Bev's new book, BBV, that there is too much potential for fraud for this issue to be ignored.

I truly hope there are some REAL Americans in the FBI and SS that are going to protect your efforts, Bev and Andy.

O8)Blessings of success and safety to both of you!O8)

:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:

[donsu]

37. kick

nt

[Champion Jack]

38. Afternoon kick

[Generic Other]

39. I knew that guy following Andy was up to no good!

On the other hand, I wondered when this would happen. At first it was all about discrediting you. When that didn't stop you, they tried leaning on your server. Tampering with your phone lines.

I guess you shouldn't be surprised that there's sudden escalation of the harassment.

What's harder to decide is whether this new stuff is related to BBV or some sort of dirty politics in-state. Everything I am hearing about Monro and Reed sure makes the timeing seem suspicious, doesn't it? Is it a crime to make false reports to the SS? Seems as if someone at VoteHere wants to neutralize you and Andy.

I guess Bev and Andy need to start checking into DU everyday again just so we know you are alive and well.

Another kick for this important topic!

[Andy_Stephenson]

40. Kick

:kick:

[Stephanie]

45. FYI, everyone, Rush Holt will be on WNYC radio tomorrow a.m.

to discuss the bill. Brian Lehrer show, airs 10 a.m. to noon, Eastern.

Streams at http://www.wnyc.org

Call in with your questions.

[tom_paine]

41. It does stink like a setup

(which doesn't mean that it was)

The Busheviks are goign to come after you, Bev. If you're lucky, they'll come after you in nonviolent ways like this, as opposed to just Wellstoning or Kennedying you. The closer you get the more danger you are in.

Be careful, Bev. You have no idea (or maybe you do) how important your work is to us and to the nation.

[alfredo]

42. Sometimes they will give something in return if you give them

high quality information. So just keep your ears open to anything they reveal.

[creativelcro]

43. If it's a Qui Tam we will not hear anything about it.

By definition.

[LosinIt]

50. OK,I'll reveal my ignorance, what's a qui tam???

[creativelcro]

54. http://www.quitam.com/

Basically, if you know of somebody scamming the government you can initiate a QuiTam lawsuit. There is an investigation, you cannot talk to anybody else, and if successful you get a portion of the money the govt was saved by your action. Simplified...

[Generic Other]

44. Kick

:kick:

[creativelcro]

47. KICK

[RedEagle]

48. Back up

Kick!

[kimchi]

49. Be careful Bev, and thanks again for your dedication!

We appreciate all you are doing for democracy.

[RedEagle]

52. Wanting to Know Details as they Develop

Kick!

[banana republican]

53. I am in Seattle.

Let me know what is going on....

I can always bake a cake with a file in it.....

[creativelcro]

55. Yes, keep us informed or we start worrying...

[BevHarris]

56. Report on this morning's meeting shortly

Some very interesting stuff. Give me about an hour and a half and I'll have the report written up. I have to go back on Wednesday and I have to find a lawyer, because they wouldn't let me bring any witnesses upstairs for the interview so I refused to go upstairs (meeting was at the FBI building).

Two wonderful guys, Tom and Steve, drove about 60 miles to monitor the meeting with me, which it turns out is not allowed. I did speak with the SS agent for about 20 minutes in the lobby, in front of Tom and Steve, and got a couple pieces of information that I think are worthy of a write-up.

Also found a great bakery.

Bev

[Greyskye]

57. Should we start worrying?

It's been over 5 hours now; Bev, you out there? :tinfoilhat:

[Unforgiven]

59. Report is on website

Worry later, read now. :)

[revcarol]

61. Someone put up link to website?

And let us know if you need attorney fees.

Hmmmm...the last one I contributed to was Wen Ho Lee Defense fund.

[Unforgiven]

62. Website

is on bottom of post #56.

[Unforgiven]

58. I Read It!

Very heady stuff, God Love you Bev. You're wonderful!

[BevHarris]

60. Thanks, I'm posting it as its own thread.

:)

OK, here's the DU thread with the report: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1001590

The reason for the delay was that I spoke with the two main reporters who reported the original story to get their take on this.

Bev

[HFishbine]

63. FOR GOD'S SAKE BEV

Cancel your "interview" until you've talked to an attorney. DO NOT go talk to the SS without counsel. That would be foolish beyond belief. You may well have nothing to hide, but that doesn't mean you have nothing to fear.