Opinion ID: 199098
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Events Between May 1, 1998 and July 18, 1998

Text: 15 The government's first six counts of wire fraud, on which Martin was acquitted, stem from correspondence occurring prior to July 18, 1998. One count of mail fraud, on which Martin was convicted, also stems from this period.
16 On May 1, in response to Camp's lengthy e-mail detailing her trip, Martin made his first explicit request for information, asking for any info. . . . on the HOT topics in veterinary diagnostics. Martin renewed his request in a May 3 e-mail in which he asked a number of questions about IDEXX prices, test composition, and test use. In a subsequent message, Martin outlined his ability to avoid patent infringement with IDEXX and noted that IDEXX is going to be in trouble very soon. On May 3, Camp responded with answers to most of Martin's questions. Attached was a letter detailing problems with a particular IDEXX product. In reference to a previous discussion about flying planes, Martin began to refer to Camp as Ace, a moniker which would become Agent Ace as their spy business heated up.
17 On May 4, Camp wrote concerning IDEXX's legal problems. She also included lots & lots of goodies for your next rainy day, including internal memoranda. Camp noted that the internal memoranda may have been confidential. I feel like a spy, she commented. In a letter the next day, Camp regretted her actions, promising to be good . . . and send no more dirty secrets from Idexx. . . . Martin responded, claiming that he did not want to know anything confidential about IDEXX, and asking only for public information. 18 Despite Camp's repentance and Martin's denial of any desire for confidential or proprietary information, Camp continued to assemble and pass on information, an activity which she apparently viewed as ethically suspect. 2 Camp also relayed information on IDEXX's strategic plans, including a potential partnership with a company whose name, at least, was confidential. By late June, Camp appeared set on leaving IDEXX, as she commented that I need to unload all of my stock options. Furthermore, Camp had received (and ignored) reminders of her non-compete and non-disclosure agreements; she forwarded these reminders to Martin, noting that as a spy myself, I get a particular chuckle out of [them], and that my loyalty has ended. Camp and Martin began to formalize their plans for meeting at Lake Tahoe in early August, as well as for Camp's eventual move to Nevada. 3
19 As Camp prepared to leave IDEXX, she continued to send Martin information, at times upon his requests and at times on her own initiative. In a July 4 e-mail, Martin inquired about IDEXX's methodology for flourescent-based tests. Camp responded that she was not familiar with the technology, but that she would try to have some answers by the end of the week. By July 7, she did. In a postscript to a July 10 message, Martin renewed his request regarding particular tests, their procedures, and IDEXX sales practices. Camp responded to the extent she was able.
20 Martin also disclosed his game-plan to compete with IDEXX. Martin noted that Camp should think tests for heartworm, FIV, FeLV, etc., all tests IDEXX currently sold. Camp responded with instructions on how [t]o beat the competition (for cat & dog diagnostics) . . . [in which] Idexx is definitely the world-wide leader. Martin egged her on: I always meant to tell you that we could always start our own veterinary lab service company - just like all the fine folks that IDEXX is trying to buy out.
21 On July 12, Camp sent Martin a large package of information via Priority Mail, including various devices, product inserts, USDA course materials, information on her own projects, miscellaneous IDEXX product information, and Examples of My Work, labeled Confidential. Camp also promised to send an actual test kit, if Martin wished. The mailing and receipt of this package formed the basis of a mail fraud charge, of which Martin was ultimately convicted. After receiving the package, Martin once more praised Camp's aggressiveness, encouraged her to keep on charging, to keep on thinking about the competition, and how we can beat them, and promised that lips are sealed. 22