A former director at Trenchant, an L3Harris Technologies subsidiary that develops offensive cyber tools, pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing and reselling trade secrets worth $35 million to a Russian broker whose clients include the Russian government, Bloomberg reported.
Australian national Peter Williams admitted in federal court in Washington to taking “national-security focused software” that included at least eight sensitive exploit components intended solely for the U.S. government and select allies, according to the Justice Department.
The thefts occurred between 2022 and 2025, while Williams improperly accessed the contractor’s secure network. He worked at Trenchant until August, according to the report.
Prosecutors said Williams resold the stolen trade secrets in exchange for promises of millions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency and used proceeds to purchase high-value goods. The government is seeking $1.3 million in forfeiture, and court filings list his residence, 22 luxury and replica watches, high-end jewelry, funds across seven bank and crypto accounts, a Louis Vuitton handbag, and two Moncler jackets among seized assets, according to Bloomberg.
The Justice Department did not identify the Russian broker by name but said the company openly advertises as a reseller to various customers, including the Russian government.
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