I think you&#x27;re right on most points, but after reading the write up and response I do think Alex reached out to the employer first instead of the researcher as an intended act of intimidation. That was a mistake.<p>If it was not done for the purpose of intimidation, then Alex simply would have asked the CEO if the researcher was acting on the company&#x27;s behalf and after hearing &quot;no&quot; would have ended the call and contacted the researcher directly.<p>Seems simple doesn&#x27;t it? Perhaps you are not seeing it due to your friendship, but it seems like a dirty move and only serves to call into question how Alex handled other aspects of the situation.