Northeastern University’s former Media Lab director, Jason Duhaime, has been convicted of “intentionally conveying false and misleading information related to an explosive device.”
According to a press release published today by the U.S. District Attorney’s Office:
At approximately 7:00 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2022, Duhaime called the Northeastern Police Department and reported that he was injured by sharp objects expelled from a plastic case he opened inside the Lab that evening.  Specifically, Duhaime told an emergency police dispatcher that he and a Northeastern student who was working in the Lab that evening had collected several packages including two plastic “Pelican cases”—from a mail area and brought them into the Lab.  Duhaime said that when he opened one of the cases inside a storage closet, “very sharp” objects flew out of the case and under his shirt sleeves, causing injuries to his arms. Duhaime also reported that the case contained an anonymous “violent note” threatening to “destroy the lab” and stating: “In the case you got today we could have planted explosives but not this time!!! Take notice!!! You have two months to take operations down or else!!!!! WE ARE WATCHING YOU.”Â
In response, the Boston Police Department’s bomb squad was called to the campus along with multiple state and federal law enforcement agencies. Additionally, portions of the campus were evacuated.
When questioned by police, Duhaime stuck to his original story which ultimately turned out to be false.
During their investigation, police found a “word-for-word” copy of the “violent note” Duhaime claimed to have found in the lab.
Duhaime’s sentencing will take place at a later date. He could receive up to five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.