Ricciardi Appears in Court; Bail Set at $100,000

NEWARK—With shackles on his feet and his hands cuffs connected by a chain behind his back, on charges of accessing a computer without authorization, intercepting wire and electronic communication and the disclosure of that communication.

At most, Ricciardi could be facing five years of jail time on each count as well as a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy Waldor read Ricciardi his rights after asking him how he was doing.

"OK," Ricciardi, wearing black pants and a green shirt, answered.

Ricciardi will be appointed legal representation.

Waldor set an unsecured bail bond of $100,000. Ricciardi is only allowed to travel within New York and New Jersey—he works in New York—and has to hand in his passport and other travel documents.

Ricciardi will also be subject to mental health testing and is prohibited from talking to any city employees or officials.

According to the official complaint, Ricciardi told FBI officials he was responsible for intercepting e-mails from Mayor Dawn Zimmer to other officials within City Hall. According to the same complaint, Ricciardi also set up a system that automatically downloaded emails sent to the mayor into a file he had created.

U.S. Prosecutor Zach Intrater declined to comment and referred all inquiries to the U.S. Attorney's press office.