A former Apple global supply manager who sold some of the consumer tech giant’s secrets to suppliers has been sentenced to a year in prison and fined US$4.5m for his crimes.
As reported by the Associated Press, Paul S. Devine plead guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering over three years ago and has now been handed his penalty by a San Jose federal court.
Upon the announcement of Devine’s penalty, the US Attorney’s office declined to comment on the reasons for the lengthy delay of his sentencing.
Devine worked at Apple from 2005 until his 2010 arrest. During his tenure with the company he received millions of dollars for leaking confidential information to Apple’s suppliers and manufacturers who used the secrets to negotiate more favourable deals.
Upon initial reports of Devine’s arrest in 2010, an Apple spokesman asserted that the company “is committed to the highest ethical standards in the way we do business” adding that it has “zero tolerance for dishonest behavior inside or outside of the company.”
Apple image via Shutterstock
