This is nothing compared to what allegedly happened to QWest. When the US Government was forcing telecom by telecom to install taps into their business's core routing hubs Joseph Nacchio, the CEO at the time, dug his heels in demanding legal avenues to avoid turning his back on QWest's customers. The US threatened to pull out large contracts that made up a large part of QWest's business.
Furthermore, having been served a National Security Letter, Nacchio was not able to speak to his company or shareholders about the situation.
Nacchio continued to insist on legal avenues and Uncle Sam did exactly what it threatened. Nacchio warned major stakeholders that all of the major QWest contracts were about to go belly up.
The US government threw Nacchio in prison for insider trading.
Oh and then QWest went bankrupt and was bought by competitor CenturyLink (who presumably had fewer difficulties complying).
Sometimes the market has more than one invisible hand.
Edit: A good point by a fellow commentor - no independent investigation has been performed into the QWest story. I looked but could not find FOIA information online.
Furthermore, having been served a National Security Letter, Nacchio was not able to speak to his company or shareholders about the situation.
Nacchio continued to insist on legal avenues and Uncle Sam did exactly what it threatened. Nacchio warned major stakeholders that all of the major QWest contracts were about to go belly up.
The US government threw Nacchio in prison for insider trading.
Oh and then QWest went bankrupt and was bought by competitor CenturyLink (who presumably had fewer difficulties complying).
Sometimes the market has more than one invisible hand.
Edit: A good point by a fellow commentor - no independent investigation has been performed into the QWest story. I looked but could not find FOIA information online.