VIRGINIA
Marcel Lehel Lazar, 44, of Arad, Romania, a hacker who used the online moniker “Guccifer,” plead guilty today to unauthorized access to a protected computer and aggravated identity theft, officials said.
In a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Lazar admitted that from at least October 2012 to January 2014, he intentionally gained unauthorized access to personal email and social media accounts belonging to approximately 100 Americans, according to officials.
His victims included an immediate family member of two former U.S. presidents, a former member of the U.S. Cabinet, a former member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and a former presidential advisor, he admitted.
Lazar admitted that in many instances, he publicly released his victims’ private email correspondence, medical and financial information and personal photographs.
“Cybercriminals like Marcel Lazar believe they can act with impunity from safe havens abroad, but the Justice Department’s partnerships with law enforcement agencies around the world ensure that they can be brought to justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell. “Lazar sought fame by hacking the private online accounts of Americans and releasing their personal information to the public; instead, he has been convicted in United States federal court.”
“Mr. Lazar will be punished for violating the personal privacy of dozens of Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. “These convictions show that cybercriminals cannot hide from justice. The United States will vigorously pursue these offenders, wherever they may hide.”
Lazar pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris, of Virginia, who set sentencing for Sept. 1, 2016.