Cybersecurity firm hired by Hamilton says director arrested by FBI didn't handle city's ransomware response

CBC reports that Ed Dubrovsky, a former managing director at CYPFER, was arrested in Philadelphia earlier this month and is accused of being linked to ShinyHunters, a cybercrime hacking group.[1]CYPFER told CBC News in an emailed statement that "Mr. Dubrovsky did not perform any work on this case. The engagement was handled by CYPFER's delivery team."[1] According to CBC, CYPFER also said Dubrovsky has had no affiliation or operational role with the company since leaving at the end of 2025.[1]CHCH News reports that Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said, "We have been assured that he had no involvement whatsoever in the details of our work."[2] Horwath also told CHCH that the city's "insurance company"[2] required it to hire the firm.CBC reports that U.S. court documents list two criminal charges against Dubrovsky: conspiracy to threaten to impair the confidentiality of information with the intent to extort money, and interference with commerce by threats. The allegations have not been proven in court.[3]According to CBC, FBI Director Kash Patel had earlier described the person arrested as a "suspected co-conspirator" in a cyberattack involving FBIjobs.gov.[3] The National CIO Review reports that the case has been moved to the Eastern District of Texas, where Dubrovsky remains in custody.[4]CBC reports that the attackers demanded $18.5 million from Hamilton to unlock city systems, and the city did not pay.[1]