No, that’s too trivial. If I was a conspiracy moved person I’d wonder if he has a ‘political donor’ who has a retirement nest egg setup for him one the impeachment was voted and passed.

It was an easy enough bar to get over in our political climate and gives a good sound bite for everyone else.

And his opponent won’t have this decision to use against him in the next election since I’ll be someone else who will be able to deflect and still attract the same voters.

Wenheng Zhao […] received at least $14,866 in bribe in exchange for secret military information […]

But a fine of only $5,500? It’s apparently profitable to be a BAD spy, too

My opinion: the fine should be AT LEAST 2x (if not 10x) what the bribes were. And not dismissible in bankruptcy.

Birds of a feather got to stick together.

My take is two fold: 1- Marketing over selling their product (common practice) 2- The “always listening” devices are mainly their Smart Remotes that have a microphone built in.

#2 Seems the most likely as is a device fully in their control and can pull as much ad marketing / information gathering details from it as they want.