Navy employee stole some $120K in computer equipment

While no secret technological information was taken, private information from 14 employees and contractors who worked at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory had been found on CDs or zip drives.

A systems administrator for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory has pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing almost 20,000 pieces of computer equipment, according to Network World.

Victor Papagno admitted stealing 19,709 items — ranging from personal computers and printer toner to hard drives, software and other office equipment amounting to more than $120,000 — over a 10-year period, beginning in 1997.

According to Network World, no secret technological information was taken. However, private information from 14 employees and contractors who worked at the laboratory from 1998 to 2002 had been found on CDs or zip drives.

Pagano faces up to two years in prison when he is sentenced in December.