Federal prosecutors sentenced Angelo Martino to 70 months in prison for colluding with the Black Cat ransomware group to swindle victims out of more than $75 million. Martino, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to interfere with interstate commerce through extortion, had hoped for a 24‑month sentence under a plea deal but received a far harsher penalty. Law enforcement seized $10 million in assets tied to the scheme, and the court ordered Martino to surrender 10 percent of his post‑release earnings to compensate the victims.

The victims—four companies and a non‑profit—paid ransoms ranging from $213,000 to $26.8 million. Martino worked for Digital Mint, which claimed ignorance of the plot and fully cooperated with investigators. He fed the Black Cat (also known as ALPHV) confidential negotiating details, enabling the group to inflate ransom demands. The FBI’s cyber division highlighted Martino’s betrayal, noting that the group also targeted a medical‑device firm with a $1.2 million ransom. The DOJ continues to pursue Black Cat leaders, offering up to $10 million for information.