Ransomware negotiator pleads guilty to aiding BlackCat

Angelo Martino, a 41-year-old ransomware negotiator from Florida, has pleaded guilty to conspiring with the BlackCat ransomware gang between April and November 2023. According to court documents, Martino shared sensitive client data—including insurance limits and negotiation strategies—from at least five victim cases, enabling the attackers to maximize ransom demands, with one victim paying approximately $1.2 million in Bitcoin. He conspired with two other cybersecurity professionals who have also pleaded guilty, and law enforcement has seized over $10 million in assets, including cryptocurrency, vehicles, and a luxury fishing boat. Martino faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for July 9.