Ex-Microsoft exec charged with insider trading

A former Microsoft executive and his friend are facing civil and criminal insider trading charges after allegedly pocketing nearly $400,000 from illegal trades.

Brian Jorgenson, 32, worked in the company's corporate finance and investment division, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which filed civil charges against him and his friend, Sean Stokke, according to CNNMoney.

Microsoft says it fired Jorgenson when the insider trading was discovered.

Through the scheme, Jorgenson allegedly would alert Stokke about Microsoft's plans ahead of their announcements, giving him an edge on the stock market.

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