Google Engineer Accused of Making $1.2 Million in Insider Bets on Polymarket

Charges Filed Against a Google Engineer for Insider Trading

According to НВ — Техно: May 28, 6:00 PM

A Google engineer, Michele Spagnolo, faces serious accusations for allegedly using internal company data to place bets on the prediction platform Polymarket. He reportedly earned around $1.2 million by correctly forecasting that singer d4vd would become Google’s most searched person in 2025. The U.S. federal criminal complaint includes charges of commodities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.

Spagnolo accessed marketing materials through a tool available to all employees. However, a Google spokesperson emphasized:

“Using confidential information for betting is a serious violation of company policy.”

After his win, he attempted to conceal the origin of the funds, which further triggered the investigation.

Google’s Response and Broader Implications

Google confirmed its cooperation with law enforcement and suspended Spagnolo during the inquiry. In March of this year, Polymarket introduced new rules to curb insider trading, responding to a rise in cases involving confidential information on prediction platforms. Similar incidents have previously involved:

• employees of YouTuber MrBeast
• politicians
• military personnel

This case has raised public concern as instances of insider information misuse become more frequent. Ongoing investigations could affect the reputation of both the company and its workforce.

Spagnolo’s situation highlights the critical need for ethics and strict policy adherence in major corporations, especially as prediction platforms gain popularity. In an era where data carries significant financial value, breaches can have severe consequences not just for individuals but also for corporate credibility. Given the new measures adopted by Polymarket, other platforms are expected to tighten their information controls to prevent similar incidents in the future.