Security News > 2020 > March > Ex-Inspector General indicted for stealing data on 250k govt colleagues
A former acting Inspector General for the US Department of Homeland Security was indicted on Friday for allegedly ripping off proprietary software and confidential databases and packaging it all up so that his company - Delta Business Solutions - could sell an enhanced version back to the government at a profit.
It alleges that Edwards had a network of insiders working on stealing data from the DHS Office of Inspector General from October 2014 to April 2017.
That's an aspect of the alleged crimes that could make his penalties yet more severe if he's convicted, given that he's not only charged with stealing proprietary software and the PII of government employees, but also with sending it overseas.
Ms. Patel admitted to conspiring with a former acting Inspector General to steal a database containing the PII of nearly 250,000 DHS employees, according to court filings.
Patel in court papers acknowledged instructing a subordinate to send her directions on how to install the copy, and steering the Agriculture Department inspector general's office to using the commercial version instead of the free government version.