String result = toSanitize;
        
        //check for null input
        if (result == null) {
            throw new InvalidEmailAddressFormatException();
        }
        
        result = result.trim();
        
        //check that the string is not too long
        if (result.length() > 128) {
            throw new InvalidEmailAddressFormatException();
        }
        
        //check to see if the string can be used for a username.  If it can't
        //throw an auth exception 
        if (!validateEmailAddress(result)) {
            throw new InvalidEmailAddressFormatException();
        }
        
        result = result.toLowerCase();
        
        return result;