Coke Requests Protective Order

Coca-Cola asked for a protective order so its trade secrets allegedly put up for sale by an employee will not be divulged in any legal action.
        Coke also said it had fired Joya Williams, an executive administrative assistant, who is accused with two men of offering samples of a new product to rival Pepsi for $1.5 million.
        The trio was arrested on July 4, after a federal sting operation launched after Pepsi tipped off Coke that it was being offered inside information. Undercover agents negotiated with the suspects, who allegedly provided classified documents and even promised a sample of a secret new drink, officials said. All three are charged with wire fraud and unlawfully stealing and selling trade secrets from The Coca-Cola Company.
        Neville Isdell, Coke's chairman and CEO, said the company is reviewing its security procedures in the wake of the arrests. "While this breach of trust is difficult for all of us to accept, it underscores the responsibility we each have to be vigilant in protecting our trade secrets. Information is the lifeblood of the company," he said in a letter to employees.