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Ransomware negotiator caught secretly assisting BlackCat extortion scheme

Securityaffairs.Co •Pierluigi Paganini • April 21, 2026

Angelo Martino pleaded guilty to helping BlackCat ransomware group while acting as a ransomware negotiator. Another U.S. cybersecurity expert, Angelo Martino, admitted helping the BlackCat ransomware group while working as a ransomware negotiator. Angelo Martino (41) admitted helping the BlackCat ransomware group while working for a U.S. incident response firm. “A Florida man, formerly employed […]

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Florida Ransomware Negotiator Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy with BlackCat Gang Angelo Martino, a 41-year-old former ransomware negotiator from Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to assisting the BlackCat/ALPHV ransomware gang in extorting U.S. companies. Martino, along with co-conspirators Ryan Goldberg and Kevin Martin, exploited his position at DigitalMint, a cybersecurity firm, to provide confidential information about victims' negotiation strategies and insurance limits. This information enabled the gang to maximize ransom payments, which totaled over $16 million across five attacks. Martino admitted to participating in deploying BlackCat ransomware between April and November 2023. The Justice Department has seized approximately $10 million in assets from Martino, including luxury items and cryptocurrency. He faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for July 9, 2026. The case highlights the growing threat posed by insider threats within the cybersecurity industry. 28 sources 68

Ransomware negotiator caught secretly assisting BlackCat extortion scheme

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