Former Microsoft employee Alex Kibkalo has pleaded guilty to theft of trade secrets.

Last month, Redmond accused the former worker of leaking early copies of Windows 8 to a French blogger in 2012.

The information in question included Windows 8 RT software updates, which were distributed only to manufacturing partners, as well as the Activation Server software development kit (SDK). Via a friend in Redmond, the Lebanon-based Kibkalo uploaded the documents to SkyDrive (now OneDrive) in August 2012, and provided the blogger with links.

Microsoft discovered it was Kibkalo leaking the data after it searched the Hotmail account of the French blogger. Redmond initially defended the move, but said later that it would change its policy surrounding email snooping.

Nonetheless, Kibkalo has pleaded guilty(Opens in a new window) to four offenses: knowingly stealing a trade secret, which was related to a product meant for international sale, with the intent of profiting, and the understanding that his actions could damage Microsoft.

For his crime, Kibkalo faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, though this week’s filing recommended a sentence of three months, plus
$22,500 in restitution to Microsoft. There’s also the possibility of a fine up to $250,000, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100. If imposed, Kibkalo could also get up to five years probation.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 1, according to the Wall Street Journal(Opens in a new window).

Microsoft declined to comment on the case.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated Thursday with comment from Microsoft.