Connecticut school district lost more than $6 million in cyber attack, so far gotten about half back
Officials in the city of New Haven, Connecticut say more than $6 million was stolen from the public school system in multiple cyberattacks earlier this summer
NEW HAVEN (AP) — The city of New Haven lost more than $6 million in multiple cyberattacks on its public school district earlier this summer and has so far managed to recoup about half of the money, officials announced Thursday.
The thefts, which occurred in June and involved hackers impersonating the city's chief operating officer and private vendors in emails, came to light after a Connecticut school bus company raised questions about why it hadn't yet been paid.
“The individual or the individuals that did this are criminal. They are unbelievably unethical to not only steal money from the public, but steal money from New Haven public school children,” said Mayor Justin Elicker, a Democrat, during a news conference.
Elicker said the FBI asked New Haven officials not to initially speak publicly about the hacking in order to protect its investigation. So far, $3.6 million has been recouped and the FBI has frozen additional funds, he said. Elicker could not provide a specific amount because the probe is continuing. No arrests have been made.