I think the plea deal actually debunked the idea that he took docs. Govt could only "get him" on a meeting minutes doc. And the trade secrets that were found at Uber were software brought over by software engineers that haven't been charged.
Crazy. Seems that a lot of these tools are purchased by single departments and poorly integrated into rest of the org—creating more chaos and thus need for more tools.
Before all of these tools though it was a bunch of Excel spreadsheets and a random Access database that only one person knew how to maintain. At least with SaaS there’s a support line.
What the case was about is employee mobility, competition, and the onerous employee agreements with secretive and punitive arbitration clauses that Big Tech forces their employees to sign. So yes, Anthony may have lost his case but that’s because all employees - especially high prized ones like him - are forced into these agreements and play on an uneven playing field. Thankfully there have been recent improvements in easing these when it comes to sexual harrasment, of which Google is a major violator and leading example, but don’t kid yourself the problem is not solved. In all other respects all tech workers are subject to these super stringent employment terms and secretive arbitrations controlled by the tech giants. And if they can try and destroy a big deal employee like Anthony like this, what hope is there for the average tech worker.
So did lewendowski when the event in question took place.
They are technically on the hook for his too but they will definitely try to argue that since an actual crime took place, their indemnity only goes so far. And I'm sure there is some language to that effect in their policies as well.
Anthony brought self driving tech to Google, and that's why we have Waymo. Him leaving was an actual competitive threat to them. Look at Don Burnette and others who have since left. Google doesn't give a shit about them and they have AV companies that have raised millions of dollars.
