Attempted Info Theft Lands Former Trade Show Employees in Hot Water

WWD reports that two former employees of fashion trade show organizer ENK International face conspiracy charges for allegedly trying to make off with confidential information on hundreds of trade show guests and retail buyers.

Former assistant show coordinator Jeffrey White had been fired for a month when he reportedly asked Morgan Gantt, a project coordinator, to email and download the information for him. When ENK fired Gantt on August 21, her behavior led to an internal analysis of her computer and BlackBerry, which revealed incriminating correspondence with White.

Federal prosecutors charged the pair on Monday with one count each of conspiracy to commit unauthorized computer access and conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets. Both Gantt and White face up to 11 years in prison if convicted. Knowing that, maybe now is the time to think about who has access to your sensitive guest and attendee info.