Bizarre End To Microsoft Fraud Story

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By By KOMO Staff & News Services

Summary

Ex-Microsoft worker, charged with fraud, dies at 32.

Story Published: Feb 11, 2003 at 6:00 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 12:58 AM PDT

Bizarre End To Microsoft Fraud Story
SEATTLE - A former Microsoft employee, accused of stealing and reselling software to finance a lavish lifestyle, has died at age 32.

Daniel Feussner, of suburban Sammamish, died Friday at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue. His family said he suffered multiple organ failure and had previous medical problems.

The King County Medical Examiner's office was awaiting toxicology results before issuing a cause of death.

Feussner was arrested at Microsoft's Redmond campus in December on a federal complaint listing 15 counts of wire, mail and computer fraud. Prosecutors alleged he stole software with a retail value of $9 million from Microsoft and then sold it, using the proceeds to buy diamond rings, a Hummer, a 51-foot yacht, a Harley Davidson motorcycle and expensive cars.

He was free on bond. No trial date had been set.

"We are saddened by this news and our hearts are with his family and friends," said Microsoft spokeswoman Stacy Drake.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Hartingh said the case will not proceed, but declined to say whether federal authorities have expanded the investigation. Authorities have not decided what they will do with the cars, boat and other property that had been seized as evidence.

"Daniel's friendship and sense of humor will be greatly missed," Feussner's family said in a statement. "...We were very proud of Daniel, and we always will be."

Feussner was born in Munich, Germany in 1970. He held a Ph.D. in computer linguistics and mathematics, his family said, and worked on technology for Internet search engines.

At Microsoft, Feussner was a director of operations for US-Speech Engineering Services and Retrieval Technology. He was fired from Microsoft around the time of his arrest.

He had run a personal Web site, posting pictures of his possessions. According to that page, which has since been taken down, he had worked in the computer sector since 1996. He also referred to himself as "The Dude" and said that before he discovered computing, he wanted to become a rock star or a motorcycle mechanic.

Feussner is survived by his wife, as well as family members in Germany.

The family planned a private memorial service.

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