> Why someone would risk jail time doing something so clearly wrong (taking material trade secrets from an employer) for even more money
In particular 'for even more money'.
You are assuming that the motivating factor was money. People do all sorts of things when no money or financial gain is involved at all. Sometimes just to enjoy the pleasure of being aberrant. Take hacking as one example.
Yeah, it's conceivable that his motivation was to make self-driving vehicles a reality at all costs (to save lives or something), and Google wasn't moving fast enough for him.
That doesn't excuse stealing, but it might not be as simple as greed or hubris.
In particular 'for even more money'.
You are assuming that the motivating factor was money. People do all sorts of things when no money or financial gain is involved at all. Sometimes just to enjoy the pleasure of being aberrant. Take hacking as one example.