AOL Wins $5 Million in Spam Case
A federal judge ruled this week that a man who sent billions of spam e-mails must pay more than $5 million in penalties to America Online.Christopher William Smith of Prior Lake, MN, was accused of sending e-mails selling online college degrees, "Generic Viagra," sexually explicit Web sites, cable TV descramblers and penis enhancement pills.
Smith, who operated under the name Rizler, is in jail awaiting trial on federal drug charges involving violations alleged while he operated an online pharmacy.
U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton issued a summary judgment Tuesday against Smith ordering him to pay $5.3 million in damages and another $287,000 in legal fees.
