Related Federal Cases
Davis Lu, Software Developer, Charged with Damaging Protected Computers in Ohio
In a shocking case of corporate espionage, Davis Lu, a 51-year-old software developer from Houston, Texas, has been charged with damaging protected computers in Ohio. According to the indictment, Lu used his position as a Software 1 Senior Developer to execute malicious code on his employer’s computer servers.
Lu’s employer, Company 1, a Cleveland-based corporation, reported that its servers experienced a disruption on August 4, 2019, crashing production servers and preventing employees from accessing those servers. An investigation by Company 1 discovered unauthorized code installed on a server, causing it to create an infinite loop and crash. The company also found additional code that deleted files associated with user profiles, denying users access to Software 1.
Lu allegedly deleted encrypted volumes, attempted to delete Linux directories, and attempted to delete two additional projects on his company-issued computer before returning it to his employer. The company also discovered that Lu had conducted internet searches on how to escalate privileges, hide processes, and delete large folders and/or files.
As a result of Lu’s alleged actions, Company 1 suffered a loss of at least $5,000 and damage affecting ten or more protected computers. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Lu’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including his prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian S. Deckert and Daniel J. Riedl and Senior Counsel Adrienne Rose of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.
Lu was arrested this morning without incident. His current status is unknown.
Mandatory facts: Defendant/respondent real full name: Davis Lu, Exact criminal charges: one count of damaging protected computers, City and state: Cleveland, Ohio, Exact date: August 4, 2019, Sentence or outcome: pending, Dollar amounts: at least $5,000.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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