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Google likely wanted to keep this quiet, but if they'd turned this over to the FBI, I'm sure there would have been no trouble finding laws he'd broken.

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Right, that's what I'm asking, what is it that makes you so sure.

Previous news stories? Such as unauthorized access of Sarah Palin's email.

Again, it's the distinction between accessing something you're not authorized to access and accessing something you are authorized to access but shouldn't.

If I break into google and poop on the floor of their server room, I can be arrested, but if one of their sysadmins gets in with their key and then poops on the floor of the server room, they can only be fired.

First let me complain about the rule that says I cannot reply to a direct descendant post. But I'm apparently allowed to reply to you here. Anyway, IANAL, but a google search turned up this, which looks relevant:

http://www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/ECPA2701_2712.htm

Even if it's not, I maintain that if you've done something that seems like it might be illegal, they can usually find something to charge you with.

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