Used Stolen Software For ‘Training’
A 32-year-old Queens computer programmer was charged by the federal government for allegedly stealing proprietary software code from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, where he worked as a contract employee, it was announced.
As alleged in the complaint, between May and August, 2011, Bo Zhang was assigned to work at the Federal Reserve Bank on further developing a specific portion of the Government-Wide Accounting and Reporting Program (GWA) source code (the “GWA Code”), which the U.S. has spent approximately $9.5 million to develop.
According to the complaint, Zhang admitted that in July 2011, while working at the Federal Reserve Bank, he checked out and copied the GWA code onto his hard drive at the bank; he subsequently copied the GWA code onto a bank-owned external hard drive; and he connected that external hard-drive to his private office computer, his home computer, and his laptop.
Zhang stated that he used the GWA Code in connection with a private business he ran training individuals in computer programming.
The GWA is a software system that is owned by the United States Department of the Treasury. It is used principally to help keep track of the United States government’s finances. Among other things, the GWA handles ledger accounting for each appropriation, fund, and receipt within the DOT, and provides federal agencies with an account statement-similar to bank statements provided to bank customers-of the agencies’ account balances with the United States Treasury.
The proprietary computer source code associated with the GWA is maintained by the Federal Reserve Board of New York in an access-controlled electronic repository. The FRBNY is further developing the source code for the GWA.
“As [this] case demonstrates, our cyber infrastructure is vulnerable not only to cybercriminals and hackers, but also alleged thieves like Bo Zhang who used his position as a contract employee to steal government intellectual property,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara. “Fighting cyber crime is one of the top priorities of this office and we will aggressively pursue anyone who puts our computer security at risk.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk added, “Zhang took advantage of the access that came with his trusted position to steal highly sensitive proprietary software. His intentions with regard to that software are immaterial. Stealing it and copying it threatened the security of vitally important source code.”
Zhang faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum term of three years of supervised release, and a fine of the greatest of $250,000, or twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the offense or twice the gross pecuniary loss to the victims.
Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. He also thanked the Department of the Treasury OIG and the FRBNY for their assistance in the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Niketh Velamoor and Nicholas Lewin are in charge of the prosecution.
It was noted that the charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
