GSK accuses former employee of trade secret theft

GlaxoSmithKline has obtained a temporary restraining order against former Rockville, US, employee Denise Brooks, whom the company accuses of stealing confidential information before her resignation on 13 January.

The company says Brooks arranged to swap her company laptop for a new one, while separately tendering her immediate resignation. This allowed her to collect the new laptop, with access to confidential files and emails, while returning her remaining company property. GSK also alleges Brooks emailed confidential material to a personal address and downloaded documents to multiple external storage devices.