Apple Inc.’s AAPL top security official once again faces bribery charges linked to alleged iPad-based incentives for procuring firearm permits.
What Happened: A three-judge state appeals court panel ruled that a lower court judge erred in dismissing a bribery charge against Apple’s chief security officer, Thomas Moyer. The San Jose-based appeals court reversed this decision after the district attorney challenged it.
The appeals panel’s decision, which has broader implications, is set to address a pressing question never before tackled by a California court: Can a public official be swayed by a promise to donate to their office?
The panel concluded that such a promise could indeed constitute a bribe, reported Bloomberg.
The case stems from allegations that Moyer pledged to donate 200 iPads, valued between $50,000 and $80,000, to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. This alleged exchange was made to secure concealed firearm permits for four Apple employees that had been previously withheld.
Without a permit, carrying concealed weapons is illegal in California.
The situation unfolded in 2017 when Apple sought firearm permits to bolster the security of CEO Tim Cook following reports of increased threats.
A two-year investigation by the district attorney’s office revealed that certain officials within the sheriff’s office had delayed issuing the permits until applicants offered something of value.
In response to Moyer’s indictment, Cupertino stated that they conducted an internal investigation into the allegations, finding no wrongdoing on his part.
Why It’s Important: Ed Swanson, Moyer’s attorney, previously said that the weapon permits were applied to protect executives and employees after shootings at other companies, such as the Alphabet Inc. GOOG GOOG unit YouTube’s headquarters in 2018.
“They went through the process the way you’re supposed to do it,” he said. “There was no bribe, no quid pro quo.”
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