Tom Hardin, 'Tipper X,' Author of 'Wired on Wall Street'

We are thrilled to have Tom Hardin, widely known as "Tipper X," as our May 2026 Tuesday Night Speaker Series presenter to discuss his new book Wired on Wall Street: The Rise and Fall of Tipper X, One of the FBI's Most Prolific Informants.

Tom Hardin is a former hedge fund analyst who became one of the FBI's most prolific cooperating witnesses in the government's insider trading investigation, Operation Perfect Hedge. Under the alias "Tipper X," he recorded hundreds of hours of conversations that helped the government build cases against dozens of Wall Street traders.

Operation Perfect Hedge was one of the most sweeping insider trading investigations in U.S. history, resulting in more than 80 convictions across the hedge fund industry. Tom's role as a cooperating witness placed him at the center of that effort, wearing a wire in meetings with colleagues and contacts while continuing to work on Wall Street. The psychological toll of that double life -- maintaining professional relationships while secretly recording them -- is a central theme of the book and a topic Tom will address directly in his presentation.

His new book chronicles the arc of his career, from the culture of information-sharing that permeated parts of the hedge fund world to the moment he was confronted by the FBI and forced to make a decision that would change his life. It is a deeply personal account of ambition, complicity, cooperation, and the long road toward rebuilding a sense of identity after everything falls apart.

For members of the white collar justice community, Tom's story resonates on multiple levels. Many WCSG members have faced the question of cooperation, lived with the weight of a public legal matter, and grappled with the challenge of moving forward when your name is permanently attached to a headline. Tom's willingness to speak openly about these experiences offers a rare and valuable perspective.

Attendees can expect a candid conversation about the realities of cooperating with the government, the personal and professional consequences of a white collar prosecution, and the strategies Tom has used to rebuild his life and career. There will also be time for questions from the community.

This event is open to all and will take place via Zoom. Registration information will be shared with our community.