DigitalMint Cooperating in Probe of Former Employee's Alleged Ransomware Profiteering
DigitalMint, a leading company specializing in secure ransomware incident handling, is currently cooperating with law enforcement in an investigation involving a former employee. The probe centers around allegations that the ex-employee, Jonatan Bonnet, may have profited from extortion payments by striking deals with hackers. Founded in 2014 under the operating name Red Leaf Chicago, LLC, DigitalMint has dealt with over 2,000 ransomware attacks since 2017. However, the company is not the target of the investigation. Instead, it focuses on Bonnet, who was immediately terminated upon discovery of his alleged unauthorized conduct. Some law and insurance firms have cautioned clients against hiring DigitalMint due to these allegations. In 2019, ProPublica reported similar practices by two other US firms, raising concerns about the industry's standards. DigitalMint President Marc Jason Grens has characterized Bonnet's actions as isolated, stressing that the company is committed to ethical practices. The U.S. Justice Department is examining whether Bonnet benefited from extortion payments by colluding with hackers. DigitalMint is fully cooperating with the investigation, aiming to maintain transparency and rebuild trust with its clients. The investigation into Jonatan Bonnet's alleged activities at DigitalMint is ongoing. The company, which specializes in secure ransomware incident handling, has emphasized that it is not the target of the probe and is cooperating fully with law enforcement. The incident has highlighted the need for stringent ethical guidelines in the ransomware response industry, with potential global losses running into billions of dollars annually.
