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An Ontario man is facing charges in an alleged theft and leak of Texas Republican Party data in 2021.
The U.S. Department of Justice says the 37-old-man from Oshawa was arrested last week and is facing charges under Canadian law.
It says the accused gained unauthorized access to a third-party hosting company’s computer system to “deface and download a backup of Texas Republican Party’s server.”
The justice department alleges that Aubrey Cottle claimed responsibility for the cyberattack on social media and a search of his electronic devices showed he was “in possession of the data stolen from the Texas Republican Party.”
Officials say the stolen data contained personal information and was allegedly distributed online and made available for downloading.
The man has been charged with unlawfully transferring, possessing, or using a means of identification in connection with illegal activity.
U.S. officials say the FBI Austin Cyber Task Force is investigating the case, with assistance from Ontario Provincial Police and Durham Regional Police Service.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2025.
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