Within Indictments
Why the Repair Bill Became Evidence
The disputed $700,000 and $900,000 figures mattered because loss thresholds helped define the case as serious computer crime.
On this page
- The $700,000 and $900,000 figures
- Repair costs versus classified data claims
- How losses supported serious charges
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Introduction
In the US case against Gary McKinnon, the debate was never only about whether he had accessed military and NASA computers. It was also about how much harm those intrusions allegedly caused. Two figures appeared repeatedly in official and public accounts: roughly $700,000 and, in some summaries and reporting, around $900,000. Those numbers mattered because US computer-crime law treated financial loss as a key indicator of seriousness. The larger the claimed cost of restoring systems, investigating breaches and repairing damage, the stronger the prosecution’s argument that the case involved substantial criminal harm rather than curiosity-driven trespass. [UK Parliament]publications.parliament.ukmckinn 1UK ParliamentMckinnon V Government of The United States of America…30 Jul 2008 — It damaged computers. The cost of repair was alleged…
The $700,000 and $900,000 Figures
The figure most consistently found in court documents and government summaries is more than $700,000. The House of Lords judgment reviewing the extradition case stated that McKinnon’s alleged actions damaged computers by impairing their integrity and availability, and that the cost of repair was alleged to exceed $700,000. [UK Parliament]publications.parliament.ukmckinn 1UK ParliamentMckinnon V Government of The United States of America…30 Jul 2008 — It damaged computers. The cost of repair was alleged…
The same figure appeared repeatedly in media coverage and official discussions of the case. Reports described US authorities as claiming that the expense of tracking, correcting and restoring affected systems exceeded $700,000. [The Guardian+2Computer Weekly]theguardian.comThe Guardian Gary Mc Kinnon challenges extraditionThis article… damage that the US government claims will cost more than $700,000 (£425,000) to repair.Read more…
A higher figure of approximately $900,000 also circulated in some accounts over the years. The discrepancy appears to stem from different methods of calculating loss. Some summaries focused narrowly on system restoration and repair costs, while others incorporated broader investigative and response expenses incurred by military and government agencies. Although the exact accounting varied, both estimates conveyed the same prosecutorial message: the alleged intrusions imposed significant financial costs on government networks.
What is notable is that neither figure represented the value of stolen secrets or classified information. Instead, they were presented primarily as the cost of responding to and recovering from the intrusions.
Repair Costs Versus Classified-Data Claims
A common misconception is that the seriousness of the McKinnon case rested on claims that he discovered or removed highly classified UFO-related material. The official case was framed differently.
US authorities focused on allegations that networks had been disrupted, files deleted, systems rendered unavailable and administrators forced to devote substantial resources to restoration and security reviews. The indictment itself centred on unauthorised access and damage to protected computers rather than on possession of extraordinary information. [Department of Justice]justice.govDepartment of JusticeLondon, England Hacker Indicted Under Computer Fraud…Gary McKinnon, of London, England, was indicted in Alexandri…
This distinction helps explain why repair costs became so important. Prosecutors did not need to prove that McKinnon had uncovered secret UFO evidence. They instead argued that government agencies suffered measurable operational and financial harm. The claimed losses transformed the narrative from one of unauthorised searching into one of costly disruption. [UK Parliament]publications.parliament.ukmckinn 1UK ParliamentMckinnon V Government of The United States of America…30 Jul 2008 — It damaged computers. The cost of repair was alleged…
The emphasis on repair costs also made the allegations easier to quantify. Claims about classified information can be difficult to evaluate publicly, whereas invoices, staff time, forensic investigations and system recovery efforts can be expressed in monetary terms. The loss figures therefore became a concrete way of demonstrating damage to a court.
How Losses Supported Serious Charges
Under the US approach to computer-crime enforcement, financial loss is not merely descriptive; it can affect how conduct is categorised and prosecuted. In McKinnon’s case, the government alleged that he accessed and damaged numerous military and NASA systems over an extended period. The reported repair costs helped portray the activity as a major intrusion rather than an isolated hacking incident. [Department of Justice]justice.govDepartment of JusticeLondon, England Hacker Indicted Under Computer Fraud…Gary McKinnon, of London, England, was indicted in Alexandri…
The loss estimates supported several prosecutorial objectives:
- Demonstrating real-world harm. Monetary figures showed that agencies claimed to have suffered consequences beyond unauthorised access alone.
- Justifying federal resources. Large damage estimates helped explain why multiple agencies treated the case as a significant cybercrime investigation.
- Supporting extradition arguments. During extradition proceedings, US authorities emphasised that the alleged damage occurred in the United States and that the principal witnesses concerning those losses were American officials and technicians. [Hansard]hansard.parliament.ukHansard Gary Mc Kinnon (ExtraditionGary McKinnon (Extradition) - Hansard - UK Parliament1 Dec 2009 — McKinnon has challenged his extradition in the district court, t…
- Distinguishing the case from hobbyist hacking. A repair bill measured in hundreds of thousands of dollars reinforced the argument that the conduct had substantial operational consequences. [UK Parliament]publications.parliament.ukmckinn 1UK ParliamentMckinnon V Government of The United States of America…30 Jul 2008 — It damaged computers. The cost of repair was alleged…
The legal significance of the damage figures therefore extended beyond accounting. They became evidence used to establish the scale and seriousness of the alleged offences.
Why the Numbers Remain Disputed
Supporters of McKinnon frequently questioned whether the government’s calculations accurately reflected damage caused directly by his actions. Critics argued that some costs may have included extensive security reviews, administrative responses and broader remediation efforts that went beyond repairing any specific harm. The precise methodology behind the totals was not always publicly detailed, which contributed to ongoing debate.
Nevertheless, from the perspective of prosecutors and courts reviewing the extradition case, the central point was not whether the total was exactly $700,000 or closer to $900,000. The important issue was that the alleged losses were substantial enough to place the case firmly within the category of serious computer crime. [UK Parliament]publications.parliament.ukmckinn 1UK ParliamentMckinnon V Government of The United States of America…30 Jul 2008 — It damaged computers. The cost of repair was alleged…
In that sense, the damage estimates became one of the most influential pieces of evidence in the entire McKinnon prosecution. They provided a measurable way to describe disruption, justified the severity of the charges, and shifted attention away from UFO claims toward the practical costs that government agencies said they had incurred. [UK Parliament]publications.parliament.ukmckinn 1UK ParliamentMckinnon V Government of The United States of America…30 Jul 2008 — It damaged computers. The cost of repair was alleged…
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Endnotes
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Source: publications.parliament.uk
Title: mckinn 1
Link: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldjudgmt/jd080730/mckinn-1.htmSource snippet
UK ParliamentMckinnon V Government of The United States of America...30 Jul 2008 — It damaged computers. The cost of repair was alleged...
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Source: justice.gov
Link: https://www.justice.gov/archive/criminal/cybercrime/press-releases/2002/mckinnonIndict.htmSource snippet
Department of JusticeLondon, England Hacker Indicted Under Computer Fraud...Gary McKinnon, of London, England, was indicted in Alexandri...
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Source: time.com
Title: hack attack 2
Link: https://time.com/archive/6943962/hack-attack-2/Source snippet
Hack Attack30 Jul 2008 — Gary McKinnon. McKinnon hacked into 81 U.S. armed forces caused a total of $700,000 worth of damage. $700,000 da...
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk
Title: Hansard Gary [Mc Kinnon]({{ ‘mc-kinnon/’ | relative_url }}) (Extradition)
Link: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2009-12-01/debates/09120144000002/GaryMckinnon%28Extradition%29Source snippet
Gary McKinnon (Extradition) - Hansard - UK Parliament1 Dec 2009 — McKinnon has challenged his extradition in the district court, t...
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk
Title: uk Gary Mc Kinnon
Link: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2009-03-24/debates/09032470000106/GaryMckinnonSource snippet
McKinnon - Hansard - UK Parliament24 Mar 2009 — The costs in counsel's fees to the CPS of the extradition proceedings involving Gary McKi...
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Source: theguardian.com
Title: The Guardian Gary Mc Kinnon challenges extradition
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/dec/10/gary-mckinnon-lodges-challenge-extraditionSource snippet
This article... damage that the US government claims will cost more than $700,000 (£425,000) to repair.Read more...
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Source: computerweekly.com
Link: https://www.computerweekly.com/news/1280090322/Gary-McKinnon-loses-case-to-avoid-extradition-could-face-60-years-in-jailSource snippet
Computer WeeklyGary McKinnon loses case to avoid extradition, could face...31 Jul 2009 — McKinnon hacked into 97 computers, causing dama...
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Source: GOV.UK
Title: latest on gary mckinnon case
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/latest-on-gary-mckinnon-caseSource snippet
on Gary McKinnon case4 Nov 2010 — Mr McKinnon is accused by US authorities of the unauthorised access of 97 government computers concerne...
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: Gary Mc Kinnon
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_McKinnonSource snippet
Gary McKinnonUS authorities stated that the cost of tracking and correcting the problems he caused was over $700,000. While not admitt...
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Source: theguardian.com
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2008/aug/28/hacking.securitySource snippet
Hacker Gary McKinnon loses appeal against extradition to...28 Aug 2008 — Last month, he lost his battle against extradition in a House o...
Additional References
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Source: salinas.gov
Link: https://www.salinas.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/2/finance-department/documents/fy-26-27-27-28-biennial-budget/fy-2026-27-2027-28-proposed-biennial-operating-budget.pdfSource snippet
PROPOSED BIENNIAL OPERATING BUDGET1 day ago — recapture losses resulting from third-party wrongdoing or negligence resulting in loss of o...
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Source: strategicclaims.net
Link: https://www.strategicclaims.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/3-2019.08.19-51-Declaration-of-Jonathan-Gardner-ISO-Motion-for-Final-Approval-and-Attorneys-Fees-and-Payment-of-Litigation-Expenses_Part1.pdfSource snippet
Case 1:18-cv-02300-MEH Document 51 Filed 08/19/...3 Sept 2019 — Lead Plaintiff's consulting damages expert has estimated that if liabili...
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Source: vps.net
Link: https://www.vps.net/blog/historic-hacks-gary-mckinnon/Source snippet
Historic Hacks: Gary McKinnon – BlogIt has been estimated that McKinnon's damage cost taxpayers approximately $700,000. The US government...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viLcoe_xPMUSource snippet
Gary McKinnon will not face prosecution in the UKGary McKinnon and his family have fought to protect him from extradition to America over...
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Source: ussc.gov
Title: 20220829 Organizational Guidelines
Link: https://www.ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/research-publications/2022/20220829_Organizational-Guidelines.pdfSource snippet
The Organizational Sentencing Guidelines29 Aug 2022 — The average fine imposed was over $9 million and the median amount was $100,000. 7...
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Source: govinfo.gov
Link: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CRECB-1949-pt9/pdf/GPO-CRECB-1949-pt9-5.pdfSource snippet
en un- able to go into many phases of...Read more...
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Source: dallasopendata.com
Link: https://www.dallasopendata.com/api/views/23nu-r4cb/rows.csv?accessType=DOWNLOADSource snippet
amount not to exceed $400,000 ($20,000 annually) in the Park and Recreation Beautification Fund; (3) the receipt and deposit of endowment...
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Source: oregon.gov
Title: February 26, 2025 Board Packet
Link: https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/Documents/February%2026%2C%202025%20Board%20Packet.pdfSource snippet
Construction Contractors Board18 Feb 2025 — • Cost estimates have not changed. • Once budget approved by legislature and actual spending...
Published: February 26, 2025
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Source: govinfo.gov
Title: GPO CRECB 1950 pt10 5
Link: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CRECB-1950-pt10/pdf/GPO-CRECB-1950-pt10-5.pdfSource snippet
SENATE... House had passed the following bills, in which it requested the concurrence of the Senate: H. R. 3775. A bill to provide for an...
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Source: rathenau.nl
Title: Cyberspace without conflict
Link: https://www.rathenau.nl/sites/default/files/2019-08/Cyberspace%20without%20conflict.pdfSource snippet
21 Aug 2019 — Cyber attacks are a daily occurrence and sometimes have major consequences. Russia has carried out cyber attacks in Ukraine...
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