Posted on: Monday, March 22, 2004

Man charged in extortion threat to Google

Associated Press

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — A Ventura County man was arrested Friday for allegedly threatening to release a software program that would make bogus hits on pop-up ads delivered by search engine leader Google Inc.

Federal agents arrested Michael Anthony Bradley, 32, of Oak View, Calif., Thursday. Bradley appeared in federal court Friday to answer charges that he tried to extort $100,000 from Google. He has been charged with fraud and making illegal threats.

A magistrate judge released him on $50,000 bond pending an April 8 court hearing on condition that he not use a computer and avoid any contact with Google.

During a secretly recorded meeting at Google's Mountain View offices, Bradley allegedly told company engineers that he would sell his program to the "top 100 spammers" if his demands weren't met.