Paul Devine is a former Apple manager arrested almost 4 years ago, sued for money laundering, bank fraud and money laundering conspiracy and condemned to a prison sentence of 1 year, plus a fine of 4.5 million dollars. The investigation started after it was discovered that Paul Devine stole confidential information from Apple and shared it with its partners in exchange for bribes amounting to several million dollars.
The scheme funneled millions in kickbacks to Devine for passing along confidential information to Apple Inc. suppliers and manufacturers who used the secrets to negotiate more favorable deals. Steve Dowlind said in 2014 that: Apple is committed to the highest ethical standards in the way we do business. We have zero tolerance for dishonest behavior inside or outside the company.
In 2010, the Apple company distanced itself from its former manager, saying that it operates on the basis of high ethical standards and that it does not tolerate such criminal acts, but of course it took full advantage of them and probably still does. Using his role within Apple, Paul Devine obtained confidential internal information that he then provided to Apple's partners, receiving various sums of money from the latter, who then forced Apple to conclude unfavorable contracts.
The original indictment described a scheme in which Devine used his position at Apple to obtain confidential information, which he transmitted to Apple suppliers, including Ang. In return, the suppliers and manufacturers paid Devine kickbacks, which he shared with Ang. The information enabled the suppliers to negotiate favorable contracts with Apple, according to the indictment. The companies were not named in the indictment, but they were described as suppliers of materials designed for Apple's iPhone and iPod products. They are located in "various countries in Asia," the indictment said, including China, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore.
Among the companies that paid Devine are some of Apple's partners that supplied materials used in the design of iPhone and iPod cases, these being present in China, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. At the time of Devine's arrest, Apple hoped to recover 1 million dollars from his conviction, but the amount increased to 4.5 million dollars, but it is unlikely that the former manager will be able to pay it.
