Rippling Spy Reports Being Followed, Wife Fears for Safety

A Cautionary Tale for Aspiring Spies

The allure of a life resembling a John le Carré novel may be strong, but the recent affidavit of Keith O’Brien, a confessed operative, serves as a stark warning regarding the realities of espionage.

Surveillance and Restraining Order

An Irish judge recently issued a restraining order for O’Brien against several unidentified individuals. Court documents obtained by TechCrunch detail O’Brien’s testimony concerning repeated surveillance. He reported being followed by men in a gray Skoda Superb and, more frequently, by a heavy-set man with short hair driving a black SUV, sometimes with a large dog.

O’Brien’s Confession and the Rippling-Deel Dispute

O’Brien’s story gained prominence following his detailed confession in April. He alleged he was employed as a spy by Deel, receiving a monthly payment of €5,000 to acquire Rippling’s confidential data, encompassing product details and customer information.

Rippling successfully apprehended O’Brien by establishing a deceptive Slack channel. Upon discovery, O’Brien attempted to destroy his phone, initially feigning its disposal in a company toilet before ultimately smashing it and discarding fragments at his mother-in-law’s residence, as outlined in his affidavit.

Legal Battles and Financial Support

Currently, O’Brien is a key witness for Rippling in its legal action against Deel. Rippling is covering all of O’Brien’s legal and associated expenses, as confirmed by their legal counsel.

Deel has filed a countersuit against Rippling, asserting that they were also subjected to espionage by a Rippling employee posing as a customer. These two companies have been engaged in intense competition for years, stemming from Deel’s prior status as a Rippling customer before launching rival products.

Escalating Fears and Security Concerns

O’Brien testified that he attempted to evade the black SUV by employing evasive driving tactics, including abrupt turns and circuitous routes. However, the vehicle consistently reappeared. He engaged a security firm and expressed concerns about potential tracking devices being placed on his car.

Emotional Distress and Family Concerns

O’Brien contends that these events have caused significant “emotional and psychological” harm to both himself and his wife. He stated in his affidavit that they are experiencing anxiety, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating.

They also harbor fears for the safety of their four children. O’Brien and his legal representation suspect this surveillance is intended as harassment related to his role as a witness.

Lack of Direct Evidence

Despite these suspicions, O’Brien’s lawyer conceded in court that there is no concrete evidence linking the individuals to Deel. Deel has also denied any knowledge of the man in the black SUV.

Judicial Observation

According to the Irish publication Business Post, the judge granting the injunction remarked that the situation resembled a “1970s cops and robbers” television show.

A Painful Position

Regardless of the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings, O’Brien finds himself caught in a contentious struggle between these two financially robust HR technology companies. His testimony suggests that this position is proving to be deeply distressing.