$40 Million Crypto Heist: Inside the US Government Contractor Insider Theft Scandal

Source: CryptoNewsNet Original Title: $40 Million Crypto Heist Allegedly Linked to US Government Contractor’s Son Original Link:

Background

A major crypto scandal has emerged in the US, implicating John Daghita, known online as “Lick,” in the alleged theft of over $40 million from government seizure addresses.

The incident is tied to Daghita’s father, who heads CMDSS, a Virginia-based IT firm awarded a 2024 contract to assist the US Marshals Service (USMS) with managing and disposing of seized and forfeited crypto assets.

Alleged Insider Access Enables Massive Government Crypto Theft

The theft was reportedly facilitated by Daghita’s access to private crypto addresses through his father’s position at CMDSS.

While the exact mechanics remain unclear, blockchain investigator ZachXBT has reportedly traced at least $23 million to a single wallet. The wallet directly links to suspected thefts totaling more than $90 million, spanning 2024 and late 2025.

In response to the growing scandal, CMDSS deleted its X (Twitter) and LinkedIn accounts and scrubbed its website of employee and team information.

ZachXBT noted that Daghita remained active on Telegram, flaunting assets connected to the theft and even interacting with public addresses linked to the investigation. Reportedly, Daghita quickly removed NFT usernames from his Telegram account and changed his screen name after the investigation became public, further complicating attempts to trace the stolen funds.

Government Contracts and Insider Risks Highlighted by the Case

CMDSS is not a minor player in government IT contracting. Over the years, the firm has maintained active contracts with the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice. This amplifies concerns over how much sensitive information or assets may have been accessed before the scandal surfaced.

Analysts are calling for urgent audits and transparency to assess the full scope of potential losses.

This incident highlights a recurring vulnerability in crypto custody arrangements, even within government-sanctioned frameworks. Even with sophisticated oversight, human connections and insider access can pose significant risks.

Investigators continue to probe both the technical and organizational aspects of the alleged theft. Authorities are reportedly examining CMDSS’s operational protocols and the extent to which the firm’s government contracts may have inadvertently facilitated access to valuable crypto assets.

John Daghita’s alleged theft represents one of the most high-profile breaches of government-managed crypto assets in recent memory.