... -- how talking about this would complicate other people's lives.
When you tell someone about something illegal, shady or both, you are complementing their lives no matter who they are to you. If they are facing some kind of moral dilemma or a legal one, they won’t be in the position to lie about or tell they truth about something you don’t want to be known whoever approaches them.
Sometimes... less is more and and its best to keep you mouth shut if you don’t want something about you in the New Times or your orbitiary.