We know that for a while at least, Ellie and Widmore were aligned with the Others, and were possibly even their leaders. However, in the most recent episodes we've seen, Richard has stated that he doesn't answer to them. What if Widmore and Ellie, feeling spurned and betrayed, decided to offer their knowledge to Dharma?
Perhaps they bargained for money and protection in exchange for information about the Others and the Island, while still pretending to be members of the Others. They were acting as double agents.
This would explain how Widmore was able to carry on a relationship off Island before the purge occured. The Dharma Initiative willingly let him use the submarine. It also explains his wealth. It explains why Ellie knows how the Lamp Post, a Dharma station, was built.
What if the Purge happened after they were outed? I think Ben found out what Widmore was up to, and told the Others about it. At this point the Others realized Dharma was plotting against them and executed the Purge. Of course the Others had spies in Dharma's camp (Ben and Ethan that we know of) so its kind of the pot calling the kettle black.
Perhaps they bargained for money and protection in exchange for information about the Others and the Island, while still pretending to be members of the Others. They were acting as double agents.
This would explain how Widmore was able to carry on a relationship off Island before the purge occured. The Dharma Initiative willingly let him use the submarine. It also explains his wealth. It explains why Ellie knows how the Lamp Post, a Dharma station, was built.
What if the Purge happened after they were outed? I think Ben found out what Widmore was up to, and told the Others about it. At this point the Others realized Dharma was plotting against them and executed the Purge. Of course the Others had spies in Dharma's camp (Ben and Ethan that we know of) so its kind of the pot calling the kettle black.
