What was predictable about it? The author didn't do anything illegal or unethical. So he violated the ToS. I violate ToS's probably daily and I think most people would agree they have become a cultural joke.

If anything I'd think the appropriate response would be sitting him down and saying "look we appreciate you are an enterprising risk-taker but we have certain expectations here at mega-corp" Once he was a sufficiently brow-beaten corporate drone then they could have pile monotonous work in him/her ad infinitum. Win Win in my mind.