This July 19, 2010, file photo, shows the AT&T logo displayed on the side of a corporate office in Springfield, Ill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Seth Perlman
July 09, 2012 - 11:10 AM
IPSWICH, Mass. - A businessman is engaged in a legal battle with with telephone company AT&T Inc. over what he calls a fraudulent million-dollar bill.
Michael Smith says in 2009 someone hacked into his small manufacturing company's phone system and made nearly $900,000 in calls to Somalia. AT&T sued Smith for $1.15 million to recover the cost of the calls plus interest.
Smith tells The Salem News (http://bit.ly/LBXNqG ) he has repeatedly asked AT&T to write off the bill but the company has not budged. He says if he is forced to pay it, his company will close and his 14 employees will lose their jobs.
Smith has countersued, alleging abuse of the legal process and violation of state consumer-protection laws.
An AT&T spokeswoman says the company does not comment on pending litigation.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012