Brothers Sentenced for $12.9 Million Software Piracy Scheme

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Donnetto Deantoni, 44, of St. Michael, Minnesota, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for his role in a $12.9 million software piracy scheme.  Deantoni was also ordered to forfeit over $4.4 million in proceeds and to pay the victim, Autodesk, Inc., over $12.9 million in restitution. 

Donnetto Deantoni’s brother, Deonnetti Deantoni, who led the conspiracy, was sentenced to 40 months in prison in April, and ordered to pay over $6.5 million in forfeiture and over $7.7 million in restitution.

Donnetto Deantoni pleaded guilty on April 12.  According to court documents, over the course of a 26 month conspiracy the brothers conspired to distribute pirated versions of nearly $13 million worth of copyrighted engineering and design software belonging to Autodesk, Inc.  They sold this software to engineering firms at deeply discounted prices using websites designed to make the software appear legitimate and went to great lengths to conceal their scheme. For example, the brothers interacted with customers under the false name “Monica Simpson,” and created a false entity, the “National Software Licensing Association,” to endorse their products.  

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kellen S. Dwyer and Maya D. Song, along with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Doherty-McCormick.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-CR-50.