Eaton Employee Arturas Samoilovas Indicted for Malware Attack

A federal indictment has been unsealed charging Arturas Samoilovas, 35, of Stow, Ohio, with one count of transmitting and attempting to transmit computer codes, programs or commands, intending to cause damage to a protected computer.

According to Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland office, Samoilovas sought to disrupt Eaton Corporation’s operations through its computer system. Cyber security is a priority for their office, aiming to protect both national security and local businesses.

Anthony emphasized that Samoilovas, a former contractor with substantial knowledge of Eaton’s networks, must be held accountable. His actions could have caused significant damage to the company’s internal computer network.

Samoilovas worked as a financial analyst at Eaton Corporation from November 2013 until May 21, 2014. He applied for multiple positions within the company before his contract expired but was not selected. The malicious code he inserted was discovered after he informed a former co-worker of its existence on May 23, 2014.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Kern following an investigation by the FBI’s Cleveland office. If convicted, Samoilovas’ sentence will be determined based on factors unique to this case, including his prior criminal record, if any.

An indictment is only a charge and does not prove guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial where the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.