William A. Giordani, a 55-year-old New Hampshire resident, faced sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley after pleading guilty to one count of concealing a federal felony. The charge stemmed from his involvement in planting a fake bomb on Harvard University’s campus in April 2023. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Massachusetts, Giordani placed a tool bag containing fireworks, electrical wires, and a locked safe in the center of the Science Center Plaza, where students were gathered.
Federal officials alleged that Giordani was part of an extortion plot, attempting to extort money from Harvard using bomb threats. A caller using a voice-changing app contacted Harvard University Police Department (HUPD), claiming to have planted three bombs on campus. The caller demanded an unspecified amount in Bitcoin to prevent their detonation.
Harvard police swiftly evacuated the area and summoned the Cambridge Police Department’s bomb squad, who successfully disabled the device. No additional explosives were discovered on campus.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Giordani had been recruited for the extortion scheme through a Craigslist posting. Prosecutors disclosed that he was offered $300 by an individual posing as a Harvard student’s father, who requested his assistance in delivering materials for a science project.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy’s office emphasized Giordani’s legal obligation to report the extortion scheme to authorities once he became aware of its nature. However, he deleted incriminating text messages, instructed his girlfriend to remain silent, and evaded police.
As part of a plea agreement, two additional counts against Giordani were dismissed. To date, no other individuals have been charged in connection with the bomb hoax.
