Former Netflix VP convicted of fraud, money laundering

A federal jury found a former Netflix executive guilty Friday of receiving lucrative stock options and more than a half-million dollars in bribes and kickbacks from tech companies to approve contracts with the streaming giant.

Michael Kail, 49, is a former Netflix vice president who oversaw the company’s internet technology department.

"We are very disappointed in the jury’s verdict," defense attorney Julia Jayne said. "It goes to show that an innocent person can be convicted when there are so many counts stacked against them and there is a powerful corporation, Netflix, driving the investigation and prosecution.

Jayne said Kail helped drive the success of Netflix as a cutting-edge technology company. He intends to appeal, she said.

Kail was indicted in 2018 on 19 counts of wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and seven counts of money laundering. He had pleaded not guilty to the offenses.

The trial began April 19 in federal court in San Jose, California. The jury found him guilty on 28 of the 29 counts.

Prosecutors alleged that Kail had accepted more than $500,000 in kickbacks — as well as valuable stock options — in exchange for approving millions of dollars in contracts for nine tech companies seeking to do business with Netflix between February 2012 and July 2014.
Purchasing Netflix subscription by Marco Verch Professional P is licensed under flickr Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Help FAIRtax Become The Number One Issue in 2025

Enacting the FAIRtax must be a prominent topic in these times. We did it before, we can do it again, but we need your help!

Help out with a One-Time Contribution

Your gift of $25, $50, $100 – even $1,000 or more if you can possibly spare it – will help FAIRtax.org bring an end to the IRS and promote a FAIRtax. So, I urge you, please give as generously as you can.

Billing information (REQUIRED)

Payment information (REQUIRED)

To donate by check:
Americans for Fair Taxation
PO Box 4929
Clearwater, FL 33758

If you need to make changes for any reason to your existing Monthly Donation or if you have a question about any charge, Please email info@FAIRtax.org or call ‭(800) 324-7829‬
Provide ONLY your name and phone number, do not provide any card info.

Please Note that inputting your new information at our website won't update your account.

Thank you for your support!


Americans for Fair Taxation® is a 501(c)(4) non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization solely dedicated to replacing the current income tax system with a fair, simple and transparent national consumption tax – the FAIRtax® Plan. We rely entirely on contributions from concerned citizens like you who want a tax system that will generate jobs and stimulate the economy. Welcome to the FAIRtax team!

Connect

Share