A former Seattle tech worker has been sentenced to time served and five years probation after a federal jury in June found her guilty of stealing computer power to mine cryptocurrency and personal information of more than 100 million people.
Paige A. Thompson, also known as “erratic,” was arrested in July 2019 after Capital One alerted the FBI to her hacking into cloud computer data storage accounts and stealing data and computer power for her own benefit, an Oct. 4 U.S. Department of Justice news release said.
“Thompson was found guilty of wire fraud, five counts of unauthorized access to a protected computer and damaging a protected computer,” the release said.
Thompson was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Seattle. Her sentence includes location and computer monitoring during probation. U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik said she would have a difficult time in prison because of her mental condition and transgender identity, the release said.
“While we understand the mitigating factors, we are very disappointed with the court’s sentencing decision. This is not what justice looks like,” U.S. Attorney Nick Brown said in the release. “Ms. Thompson’s hacking and theft of information of 100 million people did more than $250 million in damage to companies and individuals. Her cybercrimes created anxiety for millions of people who are justifiably concerned about their private information. This conduct deserves a more significant sanction.”
Prosecutors wanted a seven-year sentence imposed on Thompson, according to the release.
"Thompson’s crimes were fully intentional and grounded in spite, revenge and willful disregard for the law,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo, according to the release. “She exhibited a smug sense of superiority and outright glee while committing these crimes. Thompson was motivated to make money at other people’s expense, to prove she was smarter than the people she hacked and to earn bragging rights in the hacking community.”
Richard Collodi, special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle field office, praised the cyber task force’s quick work in recovering victims’ personal information, the release reported.
“This case is a good example of why companies and individuals who believe their data has been stolen online should immediately contact the FBI,” Collodi said in the release.
