politics
January 23, 2026
The Rippling/Deel corporate spying scandal may have taken another wild turn
The Department of Justice may be conducting a criminal investigation. This is arguably the biggest drama between two HR startups ever.
TL;DR
- The DOJ is reportedly investigating Deel for hiring a corporate spy to leak information about its rival, Rippling.
- Deel denies knowledge of any investigation and accuses Rippling of a "smear campaign."
- Rippling had previously sued Deel, alleging the rival planted a corporate spy who confessed via a sworn statement in an Irish court.
- The confessed spy alleged he provided Rippling's sales leads, product roadmaps, and customer data to Deel executives.
- Deel countersued Rippling for alleged spying and impersonating a customer.
- Bank records reportedly show fund transfers from Deel's COO's wife to the confessed spy's account.
- Deel's CEO, Alexandre Bouaziz, has hired a high-powered lawyer.
- Rippling's lawyer is Alex Spiro.
- Despite the legal battles, both Deel and Rippling have recently secured significant investor funding and high valuations.
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