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United States of America v. Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank
Date: 07-26-2026
Case Number: 2026-CR-****
Judge: Not Available
Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of California (San Francisco County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Shiva H. Logarajah and Daniel G. Nessim
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best San Francisco Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
San Francisco, California, criminal defense lawyers represent the Defendants charged with securities fraud.
Digested by: Kent Morlan
Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank accused of exploitation of their employer’s confidential information allowed them to make more than $300,000 in illegal profits.
exploitation of their employer’s confidential information allowed them to make more than $300,000 in illegal profits.
Between April and July 2024, STAMP and PLANK engaged in a scheme to trade in the securities of Rivian Automotive, Inc. based on material nonpublic information concerning a multibillion-dollar joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen Group. STAMP and PLANK were employees of a Volkswagen subsidiary and worked in the United States on temporary assignment form Germany. Through their positions, they gained access to confidential, nonpublic information concerning Volkswagen’s ongoing negotiations with Rivian about a potential joint venture. Despite owing duties of trust and confidence to their employer, STAMP and PLANK began purchasing options and equity positions in Rivian shortly after learning of the joint venture discussions. On June 25, 2025, Rivian and Volkswagen publicly announced their joint venture, and Rivian’s share price rose 23% the following day. STAMP and PLANK then sold their Rivian positions, with STAMP realizing approximately $250,000 in profits, PLANK realizing at least approximately $50,000 in profits, and PLANK’s close family member realizing approximately $12,000 in profits. STAMP and PLANK understood their actions were illegal. For example, eight days prior to the announcement of the joint venture, STAMP searched “statute of limitations insider trading,” and following the announcement PLANK’s close family member searched, in German, “how is insider trading prosecuted?”
STAMP, 31, of San Jose, California, and PLANK, 45, of San Jose, California, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of securities fraud under Title 15, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of securities fraud under Title 18, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Digested by: Kent Morlan
Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank accused of exploitation of their employer’s confidential information allowed them to make more than $300,000 in illegal profits.
exploitation of their employer’s confidential information allowed them to make more than $300,000 in illegal profits.
Between April and July 2024, STAMP and PLANK engaged in a scheme to trade in the securities of Rivian Automotive, Inc. based on material nonpublic information concerning a multibillion-dollar joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen Group. STAMP and PLANK were employees of a Volkswagen subsidiary and worked in the United States on temporary assignment form Germany. Through their positions, they gained access to confidential, nonpublic information concerning Volkswagen’s ongoing negotiations with Rivian about a potential joint venture. Despite owing duties of trust and confidence to their employer, STAMP and PLANK began purchasing options and equity positions in Rivian shortly after learning of the joint venture discussions. On June 25, 2025, Rivian and Volkswagen publicly announced their joint venture, and Rivian’s share price rose 23% the following day. STAMP and PLANK then sold their Rivian positions, with STAMP realizing approximately $250,000 in profits, PLANK realizing at least approximately $50,000 in profits, and PLANK’s close family member realizing approximately $12,000 in profits. STAMP and PLANK understood their actions were illegal. For example, eight days prior to the announcement of the joint venture, STAMP searched “statute of limitations insider trading,” and following the announcement PLANK’s close family member searched, in German, “how is insider trading prosecuted?”
STAMP, 31, of San Jose, California, and PLANK, 45, of San Jose, California, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of securities fraud under Title 15, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of securities fraud under Title 18, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Outcome:
The indictment is not proof of guilt.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank?
The outcome was: The indictment is not proof of guilt.
Which court heard United States of America v. Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the Northern District of California (San Francisco County), CA. The presiding judge was Not Available.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank?
Plaintiff's attorney: Shiva H. Logarajah and Daniel G. Nessim. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best San Francisco Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Michael Stamp and Marcus Plank decided?
This case was decided on July 26, 2026.