Florida Ransomware Negotiator Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy with BlackCat Operators

Severity: High (Score: 68.0)

Sources: Bleepingcomputer, Tampabay28, Justice, Databreaches

Summary

Angelo Martino, a 41-year-old former ransomware negotiator from Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy related to BlackCat ransomware attacks against U.S. companies in 2023. Martino shared confidential negotiation strategies and insurance policy limits of five victims with BlackCat operators, aiding in extortion efforts that maximized ransom payments. Alongside accomplices Ryan Goldberg and Kevin Martin, Martino was involved in deploying BlackCat ransomware, which targeted various sectors including financial services and nonprofits, resulting in significant ransom payments. Authorities have seized $10 million in assets linked to Martino, who faces up to 20 years in prison. Goldberg and Martin also pleaded guilty and await sentencing. The BlackCat ransomware operation is linked to over 60 breaches and has generated at least $300 million in ransom payments. DigitalMint, Martino's employer, condemned his actions and terminated his employment upon discovery. Key Points: • Angelo Martino conspired with BlackCat ransomware operators, sharing confidential client information. • The conspiracy involved extorting U.S. companies, with ransom payments reaching over $25 million for some victims. • Martino faces up to 20 years in prison, and authorities have seized $10 million in assets linked to the scheme.

Key Entities

• Ransomware (attack_type)
• United States (country)
• ic3.gov (domain)
• Financial (industry)
• T1486 - Data Encrypted for Impact (mitre_attack)
• Alphv (ransomware_group)
• BlackCat (ransomware_group)