[zozbot234]

OP's employer would likely want to avoid looking complicit in hacking a direct competitor to their line of business. What they did does not look overly unreasonable from that POV, the problem is OP put them in a pretty bad position. It's not just about being factually right either, appearances can matter too.

[Brian_K_White]

OP, absolutely, did not, put their employer into any kind of situation. Thanks for F-ing helping.