Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Employment Law StrategistLJN NewslettersNewsSections

Verdicts

By ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |
July 31, 2007

Verdict Favors Computer Analyst Fired for Reporting National Threat

A company must pay a large punitive damage award for firing a cyber security analyst after he found stolen national security information and notified the FBI. Carpenter v. Sandia Corp. (d/b/a Sandia National Laboratories), No. D-202-CV-200506347, Bernalillo County District Court, 2nd, NM, 02-13-2007.

Shawn Carpenter worked for Sandia Corp., a nuclear research facility that is part of Lockheed Martin, where he protected its computer networks from hackers. He traced some hackers, most of whom were not from the U.S. and discovered a national threat when he found stolen military documents. Carpenter said he asked his supervisors for permission to send it to federal officials and they refused, but he took the information to the FBI anyway. After he was fired, he sued Sandia. The jury was not persuaded by defense counsel's argument that his termination was justified because Sandia was concerned that Carpenter may have been doing something illegal. It awarded Carpenter $4.7 million, $4.3 million of which was for punitive damages.

Verdict Favors Computer Analyst Fired for Reporting National Threat

A company must pay a large punitive damage award for firing a cyber security analyst after he found stolen national security information and notified the FBI. Carpenter v. Sandia Corp. (d/b/a Sandia National Laboratories), No. D-202-CV-200506347, Bernalillo County District Court, 2nd, NM, 02-13-2007.

Shawn Carpenter worked for Sandia Corp., a nuclear research facility that is part of Lockheed Martin, where he protected its computer networks from hackers. He traced some hackers, most of whom were not from the U.S. and discovered a national threat when he found stolen military documents. Carpenter said he asked his supervisors for permission to send it to federal officials and they refused, but he took the information to the FBI anyway. After he was fired, he sued Sandia. The jury was not persuaded by defense counsel's argument that his termination was justified because Sandia was concerned that Carpenter may have been doing something illegal. It awarded Carpenter $4.7 million, $4.3 million of which was for punitive damages.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
How Secure Is the AI System Your Law Firm Is Using? Image

What Law Firms Need to Know Before Trusting AI Systems with Confidential Information In a profession where confidentiality is paramount, failing to address AI security concerns could have disastrous consequences. It is vital that law firms and those in related industries ask the right questions about AI security to protect their clients and their reputation.

COVID-19 and Lease Negotiations: Early Termination Provisions Image

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some tenants were able to negotiate termination agreements with their landlords. But even though a landlord may agree to terminate a lease to regain control of a defaulting tenant's space without costly and lengthy litigation, typically a defaulting tenant that otherwise has no contractual right to terminate its lease will be in a much weaker bargaining position with respect to the conditions for termination.

Pleading Importation: ITC Decisions Highlight Need for Adequate Evidentiary Support Image

The International Trade Commission is empowered to block the importation into the United States of products that infringe U.S. intellectual property rights, In the past, the ITC generally instituted investigations without questioning the importation allegations in the complaint, however in several recent cases, the ITC declined to institute an investigation as to certain proposed respondents due to inadequate pleading of importation.

Authentic Communications Today Increase Success for Value-Driven Clients Image

As the relationship between in-house and outside counsel continues to evolve, lawyers must continue to foster a client-first mindset, offer business-focused solutions, and embrace technology that helps deliver work faster and more efficiently.

The Power of Your Inner Circle: Turning Friends and Social Contacts Into Business Allies Image

Practical strategies to explore doing business with friends and social contacts in a way that respects relationships and maximizes opportunities.