BUSINESS BRIEFING / COURTS

A computer hacker accused of masterminding one of the largest cases of identity theft in U.S. history agreed to plead guilty and serve up to 25 years in federal prison for his crimes.

Albert Gonzalez of Miami was charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in federal court. Court documents indicate that Gonzalez, 28, agreed to plead guilty to 19 counts.

Gonzalez is accused of swiping the credit and debit card numbers of more than 170 million accounts; officials said he was the ringleader of a group that targeted companies such as T.J. Maxx, Barnes and Noble and OfficeMax.