A computer hacker who helped orchestrate one of the largest credit card thefts in U.S. history has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud in the last of three cases brought by federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors say Albert Gonzalez, of Miami, invaded the computer systems of several major retailers and stole tens of millions of credit and debit card numbers.
Gonzalez entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Boston on Tuesday in a case involving unauthorized access to computers of Maine-based Hannaford supermarkets and other retailers.
He pleaded guilty in September to charges from two other retailer-hacking cases.
Federal prosecutors are recommending a 15- to 25-year prison sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for March.
Gonzalez's attorneys claim he suffers from a form of autism and should serve a lighter sentence.
