MOSCOW, February 24 - RAPSI. Russian Vladimir Zdorovenin, who was charged in the United States with cyber fraud, hacking into bank accounts and defrauding U.S. citizens of hundreds of thousands of dollars, has pleaded partially guilty, his attorney Sabrina Shroff told the Russian Legal Information Agency on Friday.
She said Zdorovenin agreed to plead guilty of criminal conspiracy and online fraud. Meanwhile, he denies having committed other crimes.
Zdorovenin was detained in Zurich on March 27 upon U.S. prosecutors' request. He was extradited to New York and charged on eight counts, including hacking into U.S. bank accounts, stealing personal client data and defrauding clients of "hundreds of thousands of dollars."
A criminal case against Zdorovenin and his son Kirill was initiated in 2007. Kirill's whereabouts are unknown.
Southern District attorney Preet Bharara maintains that the two men committed fraud as of 2005 from Russia via bogus websites. The prosecution maintains it has evidence, including outdoor surveillance, and e-mails and testimonies from an informer whose name will not be disclosed.
The court will hold the next hearing on May 21. Zdorovenin faces up to 142 years in prison.
The Foreign Ministry has stated that Zdorovenin's case is yet another attempt by the United States to enforce U.S. legislation on Russian citizens.