Digital forensics firm with US federal contracts covered up ties to Russia, DOJ alleges
DOJ arrested Oxygen Forensics executives for allegedly hiding Russian ownership while selling software to U.S. agencies.
The U.S. Department of Justice arrested Oxygen Forensics CEO Lee Reiber and CTO Oleg Sergeyevich Davydov, charging both with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for allegedly concealing Russian ownership and development of digital forensics software sold to U.S. agencies. Prosecutors say five Russian nationals controlled the Virginia-headquartered firm through a Cyprus holding company, and that after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine the company removed their names from filings while they retained decision-making and bank authority. DOD, DHS components including the Secret Service and NCFI, and others bought the tools after certifications that no foreign person controlled the company. The DOJ says it is not alleging malicious code or unauthorized access; a separate Davydov company reportedly sold the same software to Russia's FSB, Investigative Committee, and Interior Ministry. About 57 domains, infrastructure, and bank accounts were seized on September 20.