It was much more than just a calendar.

Not according to the plea. You should try reading the article next time.

Did you read the indictment and do you know what a plea deal is? Why do you think google is lying about the 14000 files he downloaded? That could easily be proven or disproven and everyone knows it. It’s obvious they just threw him a soft ball on probably the least incriminating file they could to just get some money back rather than dragging the trial on forever then sentencing him to 100 years. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t take all the CAD files and act in what is clearly bad faith. Yeah, I could see a 24 year old legitimately doing that “for personal reference” but he is fucking 40 years old

I do know what a plea is. Legally, this calendar is the only thing he stole.

I understand Google made many claims but apparently the evidence was only strong enough for this one minor article to make through the plea negotiations.

Now put yourself in this "fucking 40 year old"'s position and think about what it means for a corporation like Google to make these claims. Even if they're false you can't afford to fight them.

The guy was steamrolled.

> I do know what a plea is. Legally, this calendar is the only thing he stole.

In the criminal trial yes.

> I understand Google made many claims but apparently the evidence was only strong enough for this one minor article to make through the plea negotiations.

Google isn't (officially anyway) involved in this plea deal. It's between levandowski and the DA who is charging him with a crime. Google won 170 million in damages in the civil suit/arbitration.

That was the charge that he pleased guilty to for the 30 month jail term deal. It probably wasn't the most significant charge.