Federal prosecutors say a globe-trotting hacking-for-hire ring that went after climate activists has finally landed in a Manhattan courtroom, with its alleged boss now fighting the charges from outside a jail cell.
The defendant, identified in court papers as Amit Forlit, was extradited from the United Kingdom and appeared in federal court in Manhattan this week. Court filings show he pleaded not guilty and was released on bond. Prosecutors allege his operation stole private emails and documents from activists, then funneled that material to paying clients who used it in litigation and media campaigns.
Prosecutors Outline Alleged Global Hack-for-Hire Shop
According to prosecutors, Forlit oversaw an international enterprise from roughly 2012 to 2019 that lined up hacks, credential theft and the sale of stolen data for a roster of clients. A grand jury in 2022 returned an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit computer hacking, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. The indictment says the schemes generated "tens of millions" of dollars, and prosecutors say he could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted, according to The New York Times.
Arraigned In Manhattan Federal Court
Prosecutors with the Southern District of New York told a judge that Forlit arrived in the U.S. earlier this month and was arraigned before a magistrate judge. Court papers say he entered a not-guilty plea and was released on a $1 million bond. A pretrial conference was set for Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, according to E&E News.
Court Filings Flag D.C. Firm And Oil Giant As Alleged Clients
Documents unsealed during Forlit's extradition battle in Britain, along with filings from his defense team, identify a Washington public affairs outfit, DCI Group, and a major oil company, Exxon Mobil, as clients that allegedly sought intelligence on climate activists. Neither company has been charged. Both DCI and Exxon have denied any involvement, according to WGBH.
Investigators Trace The Operation
The case grows out of earlier prosecutions. A business associate, Aviram Azari, pleaded guilty in 2022 and was later sentenced for hiring hackers who targeted activists and other victims. Digital researchers and watchdog groups documented tailored phishing emails and lists of would-be targets that investigators say show the intrusions were carefully planned, according to Reuters and a report cited by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Legal Stakes And What Comes Next
The indictment stacks multiple felony counts that together carry significant potential prison time if prosecutors secure convictions, and the case raises fresh questions about how far U.S. law can reach in cross-border hack-for-hire work tied to corporate interests. Forlit remains presumed innocent as his lawyers file motions and the government prepares to turn over discovery, according to The New York Times.
No trial date has been set. The next public steps are expected to involve scheduling decisions and any courtroom fights over what evidence the defense can keep out. Victims and civil attorneys say the eventual outcome could help shape how climate lawsuits are waged and how researchers, advocates and judges handle hacked material in future cases.
