Police arrest suspect in college bombings

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Oct 2, 1999 by DAVID ROYSE AP

Lawrence Michael Lombardi

By DAVID ROYSE

The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --- A white former vending machine company employee whose route included Florida A&M University was arrested Friday in two bombings at the predominantly black school after he was recognized on a surveillance tape buying the pipe used in the blasts, the FBI said.

Lawrence Michael Lombardi, 41, an unemployed, married father of two, was held without bail on two counts of manufacturing a bomb. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Lombardi's attorney, R. Tim Jansen, said, "He is absolutely innocent."

The first bomb exploded Aug. 31 in the restroom of an administration building. The second went off Sept. 22, damaging a restroom surrounded by classrooms and offices. No one was injured in either blast, but the explosions spread fear across the 12,000- student campus.

Lombardi worked for a vending company, and his route had included machines at two buildings where bombs exploded, the FBI said. An employee told investigators Lombardi had been issued a university ID card, which he didn't surrender when he left the company in July.

In both bombings, the FBI said there were anonymous calls filled with racial slurs and threats.