US defense secrets sold to Russian-linked buyer for millions in crypto

An Australian manager at a U.S. defense contractor pleaded guilty to selling cybersecurity tools to a buyer with ties to Russia and was sentenced to 87 months in prison. He admitted receiving cryptocurrency payments and was ordered to pay restitution and forfeitures.

An Australian manager at a U.S. defense contractor was sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting he sold protected cybersecurity tools to a buyer with ties to Russia. The defendant pleaded guilty to theft of trade secrets and was ordered to pay restitution and forfeitures. Prosecutors said payments were made in cryptocurrency and that the proceeds were spent on luxury purchases and property. U.S. officials described the stolen tools as intended for government and allied use. Known details: - The defendant, identified as Peter Williams, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of trade secrets and received an 87-month prison sentence and three years of supervised release. - He admitted selling eight cybersecurity items and related information to a broker with ties to Russia, with contracts reported up to $4 million and about $1.3 million received for what he provided. - Authorities said the stolen components were meant for U.S. government and allied customers and reported a $35 million loss to the contractor. - The court ordered $1.3 million in restitution and $1.3 million in forfeitures, and officials said the conduct harmed intelligence partners. Summary: The sentence reflects prosecutors' view that the actions harmed the contractor, U.S. national security interests, and allied intelligence customers. Officials framed the outcome as a warning about endangering security for personal gain. Undetermined at this time.