DOJ settles fake Facebook page case, awards plaintiff $134K

A woman, who accused a federal agent of creating a fake Facebook page that friends could confuse for her real profile, has been awarded $134,000 in a settlement agreement.

Sondra Arquiett of New York sued the U.S. government in 2013, alleging that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) used her cellphone data to set up a legitimate-looking page on the social networking site, which included a picture of her with her son and niece, an AP article said.

In 2011, Arquiett pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy charge, and later alleged in her 2013 suit that, by using her information to create a fake profile, the DEA had “hopes of tricking her friends and associates into revealing incriminating drug secrets,” AP said.

Last week, the Justice Department reached a settlement with Arquiett that did not include the government's admission of wrongdoing.