Russian businessman Vladislav Klyushin, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in Boston for a stock market hacking scheme, was freed in a recent prisoner swap. Klyushin, who has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the country’s military and spy networks, may not have to pay restitution for the damages he owes America. A Boston attorney stated that it remains to be seen if he will be required to make restitution.
The court case against Klyushin highlighted his significant ties to the Russian government, including being awarded the Medal of Honor from Putin. Klyushin was found guilty of a $34 million computer hack of the stock market, which included gaining advance notice of Tesla’s earnings releases to purchase stock and profit from the information.
Klyushin’s cyber intrusion was part of a global scheme to make money illegally in the American stock market by hacking into U.S. computers for confidential corporate information. He was arrested in Switzerland, where he had assets including a luxury yacht and property in London.
Klyushin’s release was part of a prisoner swap that saw Russians, including journalists, reunited with their families and Putin in Moscow. Klyushin was embraced by Putin and promised state awards. The swap was a result of negotiations between the two countries.
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