myspace1Lawyer: Probation recommended in MySpace hoax case

LOS ANGELES — A defense lawyer says officials have recommended probation and a $5,000 fine for a Missouri woman involved in a MySpace hoax on a 13-year-old girl who committed suicide. Attorney Dean Steward said Monday that the punishment for Lori Drew was outlined in a presentencing report filed by probation officials. The length of the recommended probation wasn't specified.

Drew was convicted in November of three misdemeanor counts of accessing computers without authorization. Sentencing is set for May 18.

Prosecutors wouldn't comment.

Prosecutors say Drew helped create a fictitious teen boy on the MySpace social networking site and sending flirtatious messages from him to neighbor Megan Meier in a St. Louis suburb.

The fake boy then dumped Megan and she hanged herself.