Ex-Columbia Sportswear worker 'accessed network' Copyright by KOIN - All rights reserved Columbia Sportswear in downtown Portland.(Google Street View) [ + - ] Video

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A former manager at Columbia Sportswear pleaded guilty to accusations that he hacked into the company's computer system after leaving for another job.

Michael Leeper headed up a portion of Columbia's IT Department and knew the computer system in and out. Prosecutors say he used that to his advantage.

"It's a really interesting case of an insider threat," said Ken Westin, a security analyst and researcher.

Leeper was hired by Columbia Sportswear in May 2000 and was promoted in 2002 to Director of Technical Infrastructure. In February 2014, Leeper resigned his position and picked March 3, 2014 to be his last day.

According to federal prosecutors, Leeper left Columbia to go work for Denali Advanced Integration, an information technology company located in Seattle.

Assistant US Attorney Scott Bradford said Leeper created an account under a bogus name before leaving Columbia. He is accused of arming that account with powers typically reserved for managers. Bradford said Leeper was also intercepting Columbia emails and viewing sensitive financial information.

"A lot of times organizations, when people leave, they don't necessarily audit those privileged users," Westin said.

Columbia filed a civil lawsuit against Leeper prior to the federal prosecution.

Denali, through a company spokesman, said it terminated Leeper on March 14 after he violated a company policy.

According to the Portland Business Journal, Columbia's lawsuit alleges Leeper accessed the emails of executives at Columbia and was snooping around for details that might benefit him in attracting new business for Denali, where he served as chief technology officer.

Leeper plead guilty on Wednesday and his sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 7. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

KOIN 6 News has not been able to reach Leeper for comment. He is charged with one count of fraud and related activity in connection with computers.

Jennifer Dowling contributed to this report.