> competing talents were denied their rightful places Absolutely. What are the odds he (and/or others in his team?) did this just for this one competition? It'

> competing talents were denied their rightful places Absolutely. What are the odds he (and/or others in his team?) did this just for this one competition? It's possible, but unlikely he/they invented this (or other) code hiding technique(s) just for this single occasion. Also, the employer did the right thing and kick him out. Now they only have to scrutinize the last few months of his work instead of looking over his shoulders the next few years.