On April 1, “Guccifer,” a hacker alleged to be Marcel Lehel Lazăr, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to face charges relating to the unauthorized access of personal computers and he pleaded guilty nearly two months later, on May 25. From December 2012 to January 2014, Lazăr hacked into the email and social media accounts of high-profile victims. These victims included a family member of two former U.S. presidents, a former U.S. Cabinet member, a former member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and a former presidential advisor. Upon gaining access, Lazăr released private email correspondence belonging to his victims. United States v. Lazar, 14-cr-213 (E.D. Va.). DOJ Press Release 4/1; DOJ Press Release 5/25
