So far, federal authorities haven't explained how Pappas gained access to confidential government files. Pappas and Fierer aren't alone. Often, these inmates testify against people they've never met. They corroborate crimes they've never witnessed. Prosecutors win cases.
Convicts win early freedom.
The accused loses. Federal agents and prosecutors have been accused of helping move the scheme along by providing convicts some of the information. Inmate Ramon Castellanos warned the U.S. Attorney General's office of another inmate's tales of buying information from someone with access to federal case files. After federal agents showed initial interest in his story, they haven't contacted Castellanos in months. For years, inmates have warned federal authorities about the practice.