Rorzex, Inc. entered into a contract with Denzil under the terms of which Denzil would receive $20,000 if he stole trade secrets from the leading competitor of Rorzex. Denzil performed his end of the agreement by delivering the trade secrets. Rorzex now refuses to pay Denzil for his services. Denzil:
A) may recover based upon the express contract of the parties.
B) may recover based upon a quasi-contractual theory in order to prevent the unjust enrichment of Rorzex.
C) will be unable to recover, because this is an illegal contract.
D) will be able to recover based upon promissory estoppel, because he has detrimentally relied upon the promises made by Rorzex.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Denzil will be unable to recover because the contract between him and Rorzex involves an illegal act, which is stealing trade secrets. Contracts that require the commission of a crime are void and unenforceable.