A former Stanford University employee, Naheed Mangi, has been convicted by a federal jury for unauthorized access and alteration of a clinical research database after her employment was terminated. The verdict was delivered on February 21, 2025, following a two-week trial presided over by Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila.
Mangi, aged 66, had worked as a clinical research coordinator at Stanford’s Cancer Clinical Trials Office from September 2012 to August 2013. Her role involved managing patient data and coordinating aspects of the Velvet Breast Cancer MO27782 Study sponsored by Genentech. This study aimed to evaluate a new treatment for metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer.
Following her termination on August 19, 2013, Mangi's supervisor attempted to revoke her computer access. However, she managed to log into the clinical database later that evening and altered patient records with incorrect information and personal insults directed at her former supervisor.
Stanford University launched an internal investigation due to Mangi's actions, which necessitated reentering participant data into the study database from original documents. The incident was reported to regulatory authorities including the FDA. It also resulted in significant financial losses for both Stanford University and its School of Medicine.
Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins commented on the case: “Naheed Mangi intentionally tampered with a breast cancer research database by entering false information and personal insults. Her senseless actions undermined a study into the safety and efficacy of a new treatment for breast cancer patients.”
U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Shawn Bradstreet added: “Naheed Mangi’s actions jeopardized important cancer research and caused thousands in financial loss to Stanford University."
Mangi was found guilty of two counts of Intentional Damage to a Protected Computer under violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A) and one count of Accessing a Protected Computer Without Authorization under violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(2)(C). She is scheduled for sentencing on July 21, 2025, facing up to ten years in prison per count for intentional damage and one year for unauthorized access.
The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nikhil Bhagat and Matthew Chang with assistance from several others as part of an investigation led by the Secret Service.