Man Arrested for Hacking Charity to Find Link to Jihadist Group

Authorities say a Florida man arrested in a computer hacking case said he was investigating financial links between charities and jihadist groups.

Timothy Sedlak was scheduled to appear in an Orlando, Florida courtroom Monday, three days after his arrest.

Federal prosecutors in New York say the Ocoee, Florida, man is charged with attempting to hack his way into the computer system of a global charity based in Manhattan. Prosecutors did not identify the charity.

A criminal complaint alleged Sedlak used a computer program in June and July to try to guess passwords and bust into the charity's files.

According to court papers, Sedlak told investigators he was researching whether money from charitable groups was making its way to jihadist groups.

It was not clear who would represent Sedlak in court.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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