Rippling’s Lawsuit Against Revolut Amid Espionage Allegations
In a developing legal situation involving prominent fintech firms, Rippling has initiated a lawsuit against Revolut, spurred by allegations linking the U.K.-based company to potential corporate espionage. This conflict arises from claims made by a Rippling employee, Keith O’Brien, regarding payments made to him for surveillance tasks.
The Espionage Allegations
Keith O’Brien, who works for Rippling, has detailed in a recent affidavit that he received approximately $6,000 a month to gather information on his company. According to O’Brien, the initial payment was funneled to his account at Revolut, reportedly sent by Alba Basha Westgarth, who is married to Deel’s COO, Dan Westgarth, and allegedly conducted this transaction in November 2024.
At the time of these events, Westgarth was employed as the crypto compliance lead at Robinhood. Following a review of her now-removed LinkedIn profile, it was noted that she had also been based in Dubai, a location known for its lenient extradition laws, where Deel’s CEO and legal director currently reside as Rippling attempts to serve them legal documents.
Legal Actions and Privacy Concerns
Rippling is actively seeking to uncover the full identity of the individual behind the payment sent through Revolut. Court documents indicate that the company has requested the complete name and address linked to the “Alba Basha” payment recipient. Furthermore, Rippling aims to obtain documentation used when opening the Revolut account, such as identification and utility bills, to verify the identity of the sender.
In response to Rippling’s legal actions, Revolut has retained a prominent attorney in Ireland. Last week, they communicated with Rippling, describing their feedback during court proceedings as “helpful but complicated.” However, specific details about this correspondence have not been disclosed.
Compliance with European Privacy Laws
It’s important to note that while no wrongdoing has been attributed to Revolut, European privacy regulations complicate the process of providing customer information in civil cases like this. The absence of a court order from the Irish judiciary may hinder Revolut’s capacity to share the requested information. A spokesperson for Revolut stated that the company would comply with any court order related to disclosure, but declined to comment on the specifics of this case.
Potential Outcomes and Court Remarks
The future of this legal battle hinges on several factors, including whether Revolut can be compelled to provide the requested details without breaching privacy laws. Additionally, customer consent remains a challenging route, given the circumstances. During a recent hearing, Judge Mark Sanfey of the Irish High Court suggested that while any connection between Alba Basha and Dan Westgarth could be coincidental, it seemed “unlikely.” This remark highlights the court’s interest in further illuminating the ties among these parties.
Reactions from Involved Parties
No comments have been issued by Deel regarding the allegations, and both Dan and Alba Basha Westgarth have also remained silent. Rippling has similarly opted not to comment publicly at this time.
As the case unfolds, the intricate details surrounding the allegations of corporate espionage and the involvement of fintech entities like Revolut and Deel may have significant implications for the business landscape.
