Monthly Archives: December 2018

Madoff’s Former Secretary Released From Prison Early

Annette Bongiorno, 70, secretary to Bernie Madoff, was released from prison. She had been sentenced to 6 years in prison and had served about 2/3 of her term. She was eligible for early release under the new federal law, the … Continue reading

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Subway Fare Evaders: There Are More, and They Have Really Good Reasons

Fare evaders cost the New York City Metro Transit Authority $215 million this year. The number of fare evaders is up from 2017: 1.8% of riders to 3.2% for 2018. How do they do it? Use the open emergency exit … Continue reading

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Michigan State: Special Counsel Finds a Culture Problem

William Forsyth, the special counsel working with the Michigan Attorney General in investigating how Michigan State handled the sexual abuse allegations involving convicted sex offender Dr. Larry Nassar, has issued an interim report. That report concludes that there was and … Continue reading

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“I Read the News Today, Oh, Boy!” : A Day in the Life of Ethics — What, Me Worry?

Here are some headlines from Friday, December 21, 2018. They speak for themselves about the increasing prevalence of ethical lapses: “Merrill Settles With Regulator,” Wall Street Journal, p. B10 (settlement of $6 million with FINRA for selling shares early in … Continue reading

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86% of Professionals Admit That Sayings Only Nice Things During a Reference Check Could Backfire

A Korn Ferry survey has some interesting insights into references and what they will and will not say. The survey concludes that “positivity” by reference checks is a problem.https://ir.kornferry.com/news-releases/news-release-details/positivity-problem-korn-ferry-survey-finds-saying-only-nice. The survey has some other interesting data besides the overwhelming indication … Continue reading

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Johnson & Johnson: Baby Powder Campaign

Johnson & Johnson has run full-page ads in the major newspapers about talc in its baby powder.  Litigation against the company by women who used the used has resulted in claims (some of which have been successful) that asbestos fibers … Continue reading

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That Word of the Year

There are quite a few times when the word of the year touches in the area of ethics.  For 2018, the word of the year is “justice.”  For 2017, the word of the year was “complicit.” (Oxford) and “Fake news … Continue reading

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Something You Don’t See Every Day: CEO Fired Without Pay

Former CEO Les Moonves will not get any part of his $120 million in severance pay.  The reason?  The CBS board, relying on an investigative report by an external law firm, concluded that there were multiple grounds to fire Mr. … Continue reading

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The Demand of Accountability: Secretary Mattis

The military had a botched mission in Niger.  Four Green Berets were killed.  The team had been left in desolate Africa without support and adequate equipment.  They were killed by Islamic State fighters. Following an investigation and report, several junior … Continue reading

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The Ethical Circus in NYC

His Honor DeBlasio has managed to preside over quite an ethical circus in the Big Apple. There is the lead paint problem in public housing, allowed to go unaddressed because of inspection lapses and serious records issues.  Then there was … Continue reading

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The Ethical Culture at CBS

The CBS Board hired two law firms to look into whether it had grounds for firing Les Moonves, its former CEO. The grounds-for-firing piece is an important deal because $120 million hangs in the balance. The reports indicate that the … Continue reading

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When Irish Eyes Are on Customers’ and Company Property

The chief operating officer for Are Lingus told Ireland’s Sunday Independent that Are Lingus employees are stealing “many millions.” The employees are stealing customers’ property as well as company stock. Little did the employees know that the airline had posted … Continue reading

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