Hacker pleads guilty to huge theft of card numbers

By Dena Cassella
September 11, 2009

Computer hacker, Albert Gonzalez, has pleaded guilty to mass credit card theft and wire fraud.

A computer hacker could spend more than 15 years in prison now that he has pleaded guilty to some of the largest thefts of credit card numbers.

Albert Gonzalez of Miami pleaded guilty Friday in federal court in Boston to invading the computer systems of such retailers as TJX Cos., BJ's Wholesale Club, OfficeMax, Boston Market, Barnes & Noble and Sports Authority. Federal authorities say tens of millions of credit and debit card numbers were stolen.

Gonzalez also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, for hacks into the Dave & Buster's restaurant chain, in a New York indictment.

Under his Boston plea agreement, Gonzalez faces 15 to 25 years in prison. He faces up to 20 years for the New York plea agreement. The sentences would run at the same time.