>About 2 weeks later I was approached by my boss. Someone told him that I had helped a friend with his computer. I told him that yes I had in fact helped a friend with a data transfer (something Apple does for free) and that I had helped him on my own time. He told me that I had just admitted to a major conflict on interest, and that an official investigation in to my actions would now start, two days later I was suspended.

It's a very weird story. What normal co-worker runs tattling to their boss that so-and-so had the nerve to help an elderly neighbor that weekend? And major conflict of interest? Was borrowed equipment perhaps involved or...? Yes, I'm sure even Apple retail is sucky but something that he may genuinely think is unimportant seems to be missing from this story.

Not all co-workers are normal. Some are rivals.

Some supervisors are threatened by someone's expertise, look for a reason to fire them, find one, get the support of management and take it to an HR hearing. This is one reason why a good HR department is required, and the lack of them can be a problem for the unwary (or opportunity for the psychotic) at a smaller outfit. They will / should defend the company against a news story of employee bullying.

The article mentions many years of tenure. Maybe he was a manager and one of his subordinate got him fired to take his position. That's one way to go up the hierarchy.