Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Ex-VW Engineers Charged in Rivian Insider Trading Case
Two former engineers from Volkswagen were arrested for insider trading.
They used secret information from their jobs to make money by betting on Rivian's stock before a big deal was announced.
The deal was worth $5 billion and helped Rivian, an electric car company.
The engineers made a lot of money when Rivian's stock price went up after the deal was announced.
The prosecutors say the engineers knew what they were doing was illegal because they searched online about insider trading laws.
They could go to prison for up to 25 years if they are found guilty.
Two former Volkswagen engineers, Michael Stamp and Michael Plank, were charged with insider trading.
They allegedly used confidential information about a $5 billion joint venture with Rivian to make illegal profits.
Stamp made $250,000 and Plank made $50,000 from the stock price increase following the announcement.
Prosecutors used internet searches about insider trading laws as evidence of the engineers' knowledge of the illegality.
The engineers face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges.
- Who
- Michael Stamp and Michael Plank, former Volkswagen engineers
- What
- Charged with insider trading for using confidential information about a joint venture with Rivian
- When
- Arrested and charged in June 2024, with court appearance scheduled later the same day
- Where
- San Jose, California (arrests), US District Court, Southern District of New York (case)
- Why
- Allegedly used confidential information to make illegal profits from Rivian's stock price increase
Prosecution's Case
Defense's Potential Argument
Use of Confidential Information
Prosecution's Case
Prosecutors allege that the engineers used confidential information from their jobs at Volkswagen to make illegal profits.
Defense's Potential Argument
Defense may argue that the information was not clearly confidential or that the engineers did not understand the legal implications.
Internet Searches as Evidence
Prosecution's Case
Prosecutors claim that internet searches about insider trading statutes show the engineers knew their actions were illegal.
Defense's Potential Argument
Defense may argue that these searches were merely informational and not indicative of guilty knowledge.
- Defendants
- Michael Stamp, Michael Plank
- Charges
- Conspiracy and securities fraud
- Potential Prison Sentence
- Up to 25 years
- Profits Made
- $250,000 (Stamp), $50,000 (Plank), $12,000 (family member)
- Deal Announcement Date
- June 26, 2024
- Rivian Stock Price Increase
- 23%
- Court Location
- US District Court, Southern District of New York