Ex-Defense contractor exec pleads guilty to selling cyber exploits to Russia

Ex-US defence contractor Peter Williams pleaded guilty to stealing US defence trade secrets and selling cyber exploits to a Russian broker, according to the DOJ. The Australian national, aged 39, admits taking software and at least eight sensitive exploit components over three years and selling them to a Russian broker known for reselling cyber exploits, including to the Russian government.

The plea notes Williams signed contracts for sales and support and used the profits from cryptocurrency to fund luxury purchases such as a house, jewellery, and expensive watches. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the financial gain or loss.

The US seeks forfeiture of Williams’ assets, including a house, the luxury items, and $1.3 million in crypto and bank accounts, with the FBI Baltimore Field Office leading the investigation, and TechCrunch reporting Williams was an executive at Trenchant, a division of L3Harris.