Dell, AMD executives accused of selling confidential information
Market research companies usually pay experts from various industries to give their opinion and provide information about future trends in those industries, and they sell that information to people who are interested in it – investors, money managers and such.
But James Fleishman, an employee of market research firm Primary Global, stands accused of having taken a step to far in the wrong direction when he sold insider information to hedge funds.
The information was allegedly provided by four executives that, at the time, were working for big technology firms:
- Daniel Devore, former global supply manager with Dell, supplied Primary Global with information regarding its firm’s suppliers. In three years, he made almost $150,000 in fees for services rendered to the research firm.
- Mark Longoria, former supply chain manager with AMD, received more than $200,000 in two years for the insider information offered.
- Walter Shimoon, senior director of business development with Flextronics International, “provided highly confidential sales forecast information and new product features for Apple’s forthcoming ‘iPhone’ cellular telephone,” according to the FBI, and received $22,000 for it.
- Manosha Karunatilaka, account manager with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, supplied the company with sales and shipping information regarding his company.
According to ComputerWorld, all five have been arrested and Devore has already pleaded guilty. Fleishman stands accused of wire fraud and conspiracy charges, while the other four will likely be prosecuted for wire and securities fraud.
Primary Global has yet to comment on the charges, but says that Fleishman has been place on leave.