THE ENEMY WITHIN

This is bad, really bad. First, it's a breach of national security. Second it's another case of gross incompetence and stupidity on the part of DOE. Thirdly, it gives Iran insight into our nuclear facilities just when they need the information the most. Not only should Mohammad Alavi be tried for treason and shot, the security and management staff at Palo Verde AND the responsible personnel at DOE should be fired and have their security clearances recinded forever.

Palo Verde software is breached Ex-employee used it during trip to Iran, officials say
Robert Anglen and Ken Alltucker
April 21, 2007 12:00 AM
Federal authorities are accusing a former engineer at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station of illegally taking software codes to Iran and downloading details of control rooms, reactors and designs of the nation's largest nuclear plant.

Officers arrested Mohammad "Mo" Alavi, 49, in Los Angeles this month and charged him with one count of violating a trade embargo, which prohibits Americans from exporting goods and services to Iran.

Authorities say there is no evidence to suggest the use of the software was linked to terrorists or the Iranian government, which has clashed with the U.S. over attempts to develop a nuclear program.

"The investigation has not led us to believe this information was taken for the purpose of being used by a foreign government or terrorists to attack us," FBI spokeswoman Deborah McCarley told The Arizona Republic on Friday. "This does not appear to be terrorist-related."

Officials with Arizona Public Service Co., which operates Palo Verde, said the software does not pose a security risk because it doesn't control any of the nuclear plant's operating systems and is mostly used to train employees.

But they acknowledged that they changed procedures after the incident to prohibit former employees from accessing software when they leave the company. No such procedure was in place when Alavi quit APS in August after working there for 16 years.

A Nuclear Regulatory Commission official said Friday that "this incident has not compromised plant security."

In a pigs eye. Read the whole sickening thing at: The Arizona Republic