You can sell your restricted shares to someone else, for a very reduced amount. The firm that buys the restricted shares still cannot sell them prior to the qualifying date or they get in trouble, like the example you cited. You have to sell them with the certificate and it is boldly stamped RESTRICTED. Now that is real tough to catch.
This post is an opinion and should not be considered reason to buy or sell any security, or to besmirch, belittle or berate any person, religion, cult, creed, race, sex, political party, company or company representative of any age or appearance.