New Hampshire Man Receives Probation for Role in Harvard Bomb Threat and Extortion Scheme

A New Hampshire man, William Giordani, aged 55, has been sentenced to three years of probation after being implicated in a bomb threat incident at Harvard University last year. The episode, which led to the evacuation of Harvard's Science Centre Plaza and its adjacent academic buildings, unfolded on April 13, 2023, following a caller's demand for a substantial bitcoin ransom. The situation escalated to the controlled detonation of what was later identified as a hoax device.

Giordani was initially arrested on charges that included making an extortionate bomb threat. However, this charge was subsequently dropped, and he pleaded guilty to concealing a federal felony. This plea acknowledges that Giordani was aware of the felony but failed to report it. Despite facing a potential sentence of up to three years and a fine of up to USD 250,000, prosecutors recommended probation, taking into account several mitigating factors.

Prosecutors highlighted that Giordani's involvement in the plot seemed to stem from his response to a Craigslist advertisement. This action, they believe, was partly influenced by his drug habit. Acknowledging his efforts to stay in a recovery program also played a role in the sentencing decision.

The case traces back to an alarming day in April when Harvard University's police department received an electronically disguised voice message. The caller claimed that bombs had been placed across the campus, demanding an unspecified amount of Bitcoin to prevent their detonation. Ultimately, only one hoax device was found.

Investigations revealed that Giordani had answered a Craigslist ad seeking someone to buy fireworks in New Hampshire and collect additional items in Massachusetts for delivery to Harvard. These items included wire, a metal locking safe, and a bag intended for delivery to the individual's son at the university. However, after collecting these items, Giordani was instructed to leave the bag on a bench in a science plaza area when the supposed son failed to meet him.

Further inquiry into Giordani's actions showed he might have suspected the items could be used for nefarious purposes. Deleted text messages indicated his realization that the materials could be bomb components. In one message to his girlfriend, he expressed feeling scammed.

Despite these suspicions, Giordani attempted to evade police efforts to contact him, thereby concealing his involvement in delivering the suspicious package. Fortunately, there were no injuries resulting from this incident.