**Australian Cybersecurity Expert Pleads Guilty to Selling Trade Secrets to Russian Broker**
*Oct. 29 (UPI) —* An Australian cybersecurity expert who served as director of L3Harris Trenchant, a U.S. defense contractor, has pleaded guilty in federal court to selling trade secrets to a Russian broker. This broker resells cyber exploits to buyers including the Russian government.
Peter Williams, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of trade secrets that he stole over a three-year period from the defense contractor where he was employed, the U.S. Justice Department announced in a news release. Although the Justice Department did not name the American company, British government corporate records identified it as L3Harris Trenchant. Williams worked there as the director from October 2024 until his resignation in August.
As part of his plea deal, Williams admitted that he used his access to steal $35 million worth of trade secrets beginning in 2022 until his resignation, according to the Justice Department. Using the alias “John Taylor,” Williams entered into multiple written contracts with a Russian broker, who paid him approximately $1.3 million in cryptocurrency. Williams reportedly used these funds to purchase fake Rolex watches and high-end jewelry.
Sources told Australia’s ABC broadcaster that Williams previously worked for the Australian Signals Directorate, the country’s equivalent to the U.S. National Security Agency.
Details of the stolen materials have not been fully disclosed. However, the Justice Department confirmed that the stolen items included “national security-focused software that contained at least eight sensitive and protected cyber-exploit components.”
“America’s national security is not for sale, especially in an evolving threat landscape where cybercrime poses a serious danger to our citizens,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement.
Williams now faces up to 10 years in prison for each count. His sentencing is expected to take place next year. In addition to imprisonment, he faces fines of up to $300,000 and will be required to pay $1.3 million in restitution.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/10/29/defense-contractor-worker-pleads-guilty-trade-secrets-russian-broker/3531761772196/