Judge sets last terms on bail of Anthony Levandowski

Anthony Levandowski, the former Uber engineer responsible for stealing trade secrets from Google, appeared in court Wednesday to set the final terms of his bail, which the judge had set at $ 2 million.

Last week, the US Department of Justice filed a criminal indictment against Levandowski for 33 charges of theft and attempted theft of trade secrets, alleging that he had transmitted Google's confidential information. to Uber. On Wednesday, the US attorney pleaded for an increase in Levandowski's surety of $ 2 million to $ 10 million to ensure that he would not run away, but the judge who oversaw the preliminary proceedings refused to increase it.

Ismail Ramsey, Levandowski's lawyer, told CNBC after the hearing held in San Jose, California, that his client was not a risk of absconding. The $ 2 million bond included $ 300,000 in cash Levandowski had posted and $ 1.7 million from his family's property.

"That the government calls Anthony a risk of flight – after stopping Anthony from engaging the Marshals, so that they can hold a news conference a week later – is grander and goes beyond limits, just like this pursuit. abusive, "Ramsey wrote. At the hearing, he stated that Levandowski's net worth was $ 72 million.

Judge Nathanael Cousins ​​of the US District District Court of Northern California added Levandowski's brother as co-signer to the $ 2 million bond, which added an additional guarantee. Levandowski's brother agreed to pay up to $ 200,000 in the event that Levandowski did not show up for his trial.

The Levandowski case was reassigned to Judge William Alsup, the same judge who oversaw the Uber Vs. Waymo initial, which preceded the indictment of Levandowski. Levandowski previously worked for the Google Autonomous Car Project, later known as Waymo, and left in 2016 to start his own Uber-powered van business.

According to the indictment, Levandowski allegedly downloaded thousands of files before leaving Google, including "essential technical information on the equipment used on the Chauff Chauffeur autonomous vehicles". Levandowski reportedly transferred files to his personal laptop.

In February 2017, Waymo filed a lawsuit against Uber for stealing trade secrets, with Levandowski at the heart of the case. The parties agreed early in 2018. Last week, Levandowski pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges. If he is found guilty, he incurs up to 10 years imprisonment and fines.

The first appearance of Levandowski before Judge Alsup is scheduled for 24 September at 14 hours. local hour.

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