[mavdi]

Still an incredibly stupid thing to do. He increased power in one engine causing it to fly sideways which could easily trigger a pilot confusion/error to crash the plane.

Just what kind of an asshole would risk so many lives to make a point?

[gus_massa]

This is very stupid and dangerous if real, but it smell like a misunderstanding.

He probably told the FBI (and Wired) about modifying the trust in the simulation and about some peeping into an actual plane system, and the information probably got mixed.

Perhaps the FBI exaggerated to male him look more dangerous, perhaps he was confusing to gain some street credit, or perhaps it's true. Until the airline release an official plane log dump, I won't be sure.

[MichaelCrawford]

I know from experience that prosecutors feel quite free to tell blatant lies. If you don't believe me, go watch a criminal arraignment sometime.

Defense attorneys do to.

For the most part judges are clued into this. It's not testimony unless it's under oath - and even then, sometimes witnesses commit perjury.

[sukilot]

Why don't judges call lying lawyers in contempt of court?

[paulhauggis]

This was in a simulation. The article even says this. He only accessed the infotainment network.

[PhantomGremlin]

They're not discussing "simulation". From the article:

   Today he would not respond to questions about
   the new allegations from the FBI that he also
   messed with the systems during a real flight.

But WTF was he doing talking to the FBI back in February in the first place?

There's nothing good that ever happens to people when they speak to law enforcement. The ego these guys must have is enormous. It's like they take lessons from movie supervillains who can't resist bragging to James Bond.

Those Bond villains sometimes have the right idea. Goldfinger's first inclination (he should have stuck with it) was to simply dispose of James Bond:

   James Bond: Do you expect me to talk?

   Auric Goldfinger: No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!