NEW YORK — President Clinton's phone bills increased more than $50,000 after an Army sergeant gave out the White House long-distance calling code, federal prosecutors say.
The scheme allegedly culminated in the arrest of David Gilmer, 30, of Woodbridge, Va., an Army sergeant assigned to the White House Communications Agency.
In papers filed in federal court in Manhattan, U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White alleged that Gilmer gave the White House phone access number to people in New York and New Jersey, allowing them to make 9,400 unauthorized calls between Dec. 5 and Feb. 8.
Callers tapped into the same service provided to the president, vice president, White House senior staff, the National Security Council and U.S. Secret Service, according to court papers.
The system is owned by private companies but operated by the White House agency.
Gilmer was arrested Friday and charged with conspiracy to defraud the government.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
A message left at Gilmer's home Monday after he had been released on bail was not returned.