Coach in Court Over Hacking Allegations
A former University of Michigan football coach is back in court, but this time, it has nothing to do with sports. The coach, who used to lead the offensive side of the team, is now facing very serious charges in federal court. He’s accused of hacking into computer systems and stealing personal information from hundreds of thousands of college athletes across the country.
This case involves allegations of computer hacking and identity theft that reportedly happened over several years — from 2015 all the way to early 2023. Many of the victims are young athletes who were just trying to chase their dreams in college sports. Their personal and private information, including sensitive medical records and private photos, may have been stolen and accessed without permission.
During the latest court appearance, the former coach stood before a judge to discuss what will happen next in his case. Officials have already scheduled his next court date for later in the year. The judge maintained a serious tone in the courtroom and clearly stated that these charges carry serious weight.
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A Growing Number of Victims
The case is getting bigger as more people come forward. Many of the victims are now young professionals working in the corporate world. Some of them were shocked to learn that their private photos, emails, and even medical records had been accessed illegally. One former student-athlete shared how scared and confused she felt when she found out she was part of the investigation. She explained how the experience shook her, especially since she’s now working in a big company and trying to build her life.
This case has now turned into a class-action lawsuit. That means a group of victims is coming together to take legal action. They believe the hacking wasn’t just a one-time thing it could have affected many more people than originally thought.
A lawyer for one of the victims said that this might only be the beginning of what’s to come. He described the situation like peeling an onion — saying that as more layers are removed, more shocking details might be revealed. He also believes more victims will likely come forward as the investigation continues.
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How the Hacking Happened
Experts in cybersecurity have been watching this case closely. One cybersecurity leader explained how the criminal accessed the data. He said the person may have broken into cloud backups—online storage systems where people save photos and documents. As a result, the hacker could have viewed and stolen sensitive images, private messages, and other personal files.
He warned people to be extra careful with what they save on cloud services, especially if the content is very personal. In cases like this, once the information is out there, it can cause long-term damage. Cyber experts say this type of crime can affect someone’s life in big ways like making it harder to get a loan, rent an apartment, or even buy a car.
They also recommend that people keep a close eye on their credit reports. If anything looks strange or suspicious, it could be a sign that someone is trying to use their identity.