Replace "Big Corp" with "organized crime" and "steal" with... well, "steal" may stay - and yes, I think courts already encourage that, and with good reason - ultimately, it's vital to be able to catch the people actually scheming, and not just the pawns executing those schemes.

I think it's pretty rare for courts to offer full immunity to people involved in organized crime, and they definitely don't offer it to the highest level targets.

Levandowski may not be the mastermind behind the whole thing, but his going along with it is the only reason it was even possible. And he made a ton of money from it. There's no way he's going to get immunity.

I didn't mean immunity, just leniency.

In this case, I'm convinced that Levandowski will not get away scot-free.

IIUC, much of American corporate law works like this - be the one to bring us this info, and we'll take it easy on you. They then go harder after the individuals/companies who held out - trying to maximize the prisoners dilemma.

yes. we absolutely want to encourage whistle blowers.

obviously the level of immunity will vary based on the circumstances of each case, but again, we absolutely want to encourage this type of behavior.

> yes. we absolutely want to encourage whistle blowers.

What? Levandowski can't be a whistle blower here because he had a central role in the (alleged) criminal activity. The case wouldn't even exist without him.

If the allegations are true, the best he's going to get for turning on Uber is a plea deal.

How would he be a whistle blower? He didn't allegedly witness it, he allegedly did the deed!

Whistle blower tend to be lower on the totem pole. If it really is conspiracy your not likely going to see anyone in the court offer immunities for something he benefited hundreds of millions of dollars for.

That can all be worked out as part of his plea deal.

Well, if people consistently rat out the big corp (because its now better to do so than not) then cost/success rate of theft should hopefully become untenable, and they'd stop trying to find people to steal for them.

And ofc, the big corp is clearly the preferred target, since they're much more likely to repeatedly commit crimes (and at larger scales) than the individual

Cleanest way to beat a tagteam is to convince them they're enemies

> I get that Uber is a toxic company, but I'm not sure if immunity is a good idea.

I don't think immunity protects you from civil damages, though.. just the criminal penalties. So, still not a great trade for Levandowski if he makes a deal.

I don't think immunity is on the table..maybe a commuted sentence? 2-5 years? He's rich so it'll probably be home arrest, or just probation or something.

If I were an Uber investor or Uber management I'd be rereading all the contracts for ways to claw back his payment.

Especially since he is hundreds of millions of dollars richer for the whole exchange