US prosecutors have charged a former executive of a government contractor with selling classified cyber intelligence trade secrets to a buyer in Russia for $1.3 million, raising fears over potential breaches of American national security systems.
According to an October 14 filing in the US District Court in Washington, Peter Williams allegedly stole eight trade secrets from two unnamed companies between April 2022 and June 2025 with the intent to sell them to a Russian-based buyer.
While the court documents did not specify his employer, British business records identify Williams as the former general manager of L3Harris Trenchant, a subsidiary of the US defence and intelligence contractor L3Harris Technologies (LHX.N). The company, which develops advanced hacking tools for US national security operations, declined to comment on the case.
Prosecutors claim Williams profited from the sale and are seeking the forfeiture of his Washington, D.C., home, along with luxury items such as watches and jewellery believed to have been purchased with proceeds from the alleged crimes.
A source familiar with the investigation confirmed that the Peter Williams named in British records is the same individual charged in the US filing. His alleged actions have triggered concern that Russia could gain access to sensitive cyber tools used by US and allied intelligence agencies, potentially strengthening its own cybersecurity defences or enabling new offensive capabilities.
It was earlier reported that L3Harris Trenchant had begun investigating a leak of its hacking tools. However, Williams, who identified as an Australian citizen and US resident, could not be reached for comment. His attorneys have also not responded to inquiries.
Williams resigned from L3Harris Trenchant on August 21, 2025, less than two months before prosecutors filed the case. His arraignment and plea agreement hearing is scheduled for October 29.
If convicted, the case could mark one of the most serious breaches involving a US cyber contractor in recent years — with far-reaching implications for national security and the integrity of American cyber defence systems.
Melissa Enoch
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