Secrets Scandal: Two Indian Americans Jailed

Three former US government employees, including two Indian Americans, were sentenced for conspiring to steal sensitive data.

Murali Y Venkata, 58, received a four-month prison term, while Sonal Patel, 49, was sentenced to two years probation, including one year of home incarceration and a $40,000 fine.

Charles Edwards, 63, former Acting Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, got 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release.

The trio, previously employed at the US Postal Service Office of Inspector General, conspired to steal proprietary software and databases with sensitive information.

Venkata and Patel were connected to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General. They planned to create a commercial software product using stolen data for sale to government agencies. The stolen information included details of over 200,000 federal employees.

Prosecutors claim the co-conspirators intended to sell the software to government agencies. They shared the stolen data with software developers in India. Venkata, upon learning of the investigation, attempted to obstruct it by deleting incriminating messages and communications.