A conversation about Brad's life.

Born in Boston, he worked for giant Swiss bank UBS until 2005. Following his resignation, he blew the whistle to US authorities on practices enabling US citizens to evade billions of dollars in taxes. Though his whistleblowing caused UBS to pay huge sums of money to the IRS, and triggered large-scale reform of the Swiss banking industry, Brad was the only person involved who went to jail for these practices. He served 30 months in a prison nicknamed Camp Cupcake. Whilst incarcerated he discovered that (due to a law introduced in late 2006) the IRS were going to reward him with a percentage of the money he helped them recoup. He received $104m as a first payment. Today he lives between Malta and Italy and still rails against the corruption he believes is endemic in America and the world at large.

Those are the bare bones of the story. Discover much more in our interview.

Brad's website: https://lucifersbanker.com

Episode guide:

3.27-18.40 Ubringing, education, first finance job in State Street, Boston. Beginning his behaviour of standing up against employers. Brad is fired and decides to move to Switzerland.

18.40-32.20 His time and work in Switzerland and US before blowing the whistle.

32.20-42.29 The background of Swiss banking and how it related to the US. Tax evasion. Turning point - the three-page memo. Resigning and deciding to become a whistleblower.

42.49-54.20 Motives. Noble act/Revenge/Seeking reward? Thoughts on whistleblowers in contrast to criminals and how society feels about them.

54.20-1.01.59 Back to his story. Approaching different US Authorities. Deferred prosecution for UBS. Prison for Brad.

1.01.59-1.17.14 Time in prison. Whilst there discovering he would receive $104m. Thoughts on extreme wealth. Tax avoidance vs evasion. Being single. Charitable acts.

1.17.14-1.28.05 What changed in Swiss banking as a result of his actions? How he sees his role now. Thoughts on corporate corruption. How did UBS not see his whistleblowing coming?

1.28.05-1.42.44 What would it take to stop tax evasion in the world? More thoughts on corruption. US-Swiss relationship. Does he reflect happily on his journey? Has he ever feared for his life after upsetting these powerful people? Recommending his book.

Guest: Bradley Birkenfeld

Host and producer: Donal Gallery 

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/ 

Music by Donal Gallery 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast 

Get in touch with stories of people who've lived unusual lives at [email protected] 

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