nuclearen nuclearen -- nuclear industry whistle blower, karen silkwood. >> reporter: a former executive left the controversial herbal life company in 2011, borquist was ready to put himself in jeopardy to reveal the ethical short comings of the nutrition products company. he told us his legal bills and travel were being paid by one of the company's wall street critics but wasn't receiving any other benefit. >> no. >> reporter: not at all? >> nothing. i am not getting a benefit. >> reporter: we learn there was something he did not tell us. this secret deal with herbalife wall street critic, a financial cushion, that could pay him as much as $250,000 a year for ten years, if he lost his new job for talking to the media or the government. with other benefits, a potential total value of $3.6 million. we're not paying him for what he has to say. >> reporter: you did pay him? you don't think that is a problem. >> it is important it is disclosed an important fact. >> but they only disclosed the deal after questions were raised in this "the new york times" story about ackman's financial ties to