Security News > 2020 > March > Ex-DHS Officials Charged With Stealing Software, Database

A former acting inspector general of U.S. Department of Homeland Security and another government official have been indicted for allegedly stealing DHS proprietary software and databases and then attempting to resell the technology back to the government, according to the Justice Department.

In their indictment, federal prosecutors allege that between October 2014 and April 2017, Edwards, Venkata and other unnamed co-conspirators began attempting to steal proprietary software used by the DHS Office of Inspector General as well as a database that contained the personally identifiable information of DHS and U.S. Postal Service employees.

Prosecutors allege they were attempting to create an "Enhanced version" of the software and then sell that software back to DHS and other federal agencies through Delta Business Solutions at a profit.

"The indictment further alleges that, in addition to stealing DHS-OIG's software and the sensitive government databases, Venkata and others also assisted Edwards by reconfiguring his laptop so that he could properly upload the stolen software and databases, provided troubleshooting support whenever Edwards required it, and helped him build a testing server at his residence with the stolen software and databases, which contained ," according to the Justice Department.

Federal prosecutors allege that Edwards hired software developers in India to help develop the enhanced software package that his company wanted to sell to the federal government.

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