Ex-Microsoft worker pleads guilty to software theft

SEATTLE: A former Microsoft Corp. employee pleaded guilty to selling the world's largest software maker's products for more than $ seven million for personal profit, federal prosecutors said.

Finn Contini, 36, admitted to ordering software through Microsoft's internal systems under the pretense it was for internal use and using the money to buy real estate, cars and jewelry, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

After similar incidents involving employees selling Microsoft's high-end software for personal gain, the company cracked down on criminal theft in late 2003.

The Redmond, Washington, company hired investigators and made changes to its internal ordering system in order to prevent future incidents.

Contini, an assistant at Microsoft, resigned in February.

Two other individuals who worked with Contini are scheduled for plea hearings later this month.