A brazen case of corporate espionage has unfolded in New Jersey, where a Brooklyn man has admitted to breaking into a competitor laboratory under false pretenses and making off with valuable equipment. Eric Leykin, 33, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court.
Leykin, the CEO of a clinical reference laboratory based in New Jersey, arranged for an employee of the victim business to let him in on July 1, 2022, by claiming to be a technician with a vendor that the business used to service its equipment. However, Leykin had other plans. Once inside, he proceeded to destroy a significant amount of laboratory and computer equipment, and stole multiple hard drives housed within the victim business’ equipment.
The wire fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of either $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for July 22, 2025. Leykin’s actions have left the scientific community reeling, and raised questions about the lengths to which corporate espionage can go.
U.S. Attorney John Giordano credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea. Giordano also thanked the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, and the Millburn Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gilfedder, for substantial assistance provided to the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly, Deputy Chief of the Cybercrime Unit, and Chana Y. Zuckier of the Bank Integrity, Recovery, and Money Laundering Unit. Defense counsel Albert Dayan, Esq., Robert DeGroot, Esq., and Oleg Nekritin, Esq. have been representing Leykin throughout the case.
Eric Leykin, 33, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty to one-count indictment charging him with wire fraud. The maximum penalty for the crime is 20 years in prison and a fine of either $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for July 22, 2025.
The investigation into Leykin’s activities was led by the FBI, with assistance from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Millburn Police Department. The case highlights the importance of corporate accountability and the need for businesses to take steps to protect themselves from corporate espionage.
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Conway, Wire Fraud, New Jersey 2016 · New York
- Lessie Dickerson III, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, New Jersey 2017 · Connecticut
- William E. Grobes IV, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, VA 2024 · New York
- Katherine Grobes, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, VA 2024 · Virginia
- John Desantis, Securities and Wire Fraud, NY · New York
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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