U.S. authorities arrested a Chinese national in Los Angeles Monday who they accused of distributing malware that has been linked to the theft of government data, reports Reuters.
Yu Pingan of Shanghai allegedly conspired with others to distribute the malicious software known as Sakula, a Department of Justice spokesperson told Reuters. Sakula was the same malware involved in 2014 and 2015 hacks on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Reuters reports.,
The federal criminal complaint claimed the group used Sakula to attack unnamed U.S. companies. The complaint did not mention the OPM hacks, which U.S. officials have previously blamed on the Chinese government.
Mr. Yu's court-appointed attorney Michael Berg said Mr. Yu was a teacher visiting Los Angeles for a conference. Mr. Berg added Mr. Yu has no ties to China's government.
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