Category Archives: News and Events

Robert Citron, the former Orange County treasurer who got in over his head with derivatives investments, passed away.  Initially, he seemed to have an uncanny ability to earn a greater rate of return for the county, but when market conditions … Continue reading →

Oh, if the Barometer had a dollar for every time a young ‘un argues that regular rules don’t apply to them, well, let’s just recap.   There were the dot-com young ‘uns, those who headed up companies that never had a cent … Continue reading →

Adam Lanza, the Newtown elementary school shooter, attended Western Connecticut State University, where he earned an “A” and an “A-” in two computer science courses and a “C” in his ethics course.   Brilliance without boundaries, i.e., a moral compass, destroys … Continue reading →

Amgen manager at a sale meeting in 2005.  Someone was taping it — for the Department of Health and Human Services, which was notified by an Amgen sales rep about Amgen’s violations of marketing rules. Amgen has agreed to pay … Continue reading →

It is, quite simply, too soon for anyone to propose remedies, laws, or operational changes based on the tragedy at Newtown, save one.  The media are a mess. Their competitive search for continuing sensationalism as they hover over grieving parents is stunning and crass. … Continue reading →

Since 2009, the Apollo Group (corporation that runs the University of Phoenix) has referred 850 potential fraud schemes to the Department of Education because of its suspicions that the “students” receiving the federal funding did not really exist or had … Continue reading →

That’s a USA Today headline.  Turns out that unless Congress acts to appoint new members, the Office of Congressional Ethics will simply go away.  Talk about your sunset programs.  Let’s see, we had the Congressional Black Caucus seek to take … Continue reading →

IKEA has apologized upon its discovery that it profited from the use of East German prison laborers. The problem was uncovered by Ernst & Young following a request from IKEA that the audit firm conduct an investigation into the labor … Continue reading →

Federal prosecutors have uncovered a test-cheating ring in Memphis.  Clarence Mumford has been indicted for mail, wire, and Social Security fraud as well as identity theft for hiring folks to take Praxis exams for teachers who sought additional credentials for … Continue reading →

The magnificent Josephson Institute released the results of its bi-annual survey on the ethics of high school students.  An exemplary study that has helped guide us since 1992, Josephson’s work has been tireless and helpful.  However, this year’s results are puzzling.  … Continue reading →

Oh, dear Secretary Panetta, save your money!  Three words for your generals:  David and Bathsheba.  Read the story.  Understand the story.  Hubris, power, and women.  If you have the first two, stay clear of the third.

The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has finished its report and concluded that MF Global executives, including former CEO John Corzine, created a chaotic atmosphere with lax controls.  In short, this firm was a financial mess, but … Continue reading →

There is no limit to the imaginations of teachers and principals when it comes to reaching goals on test scores. El Paso is grappling with a cheating scandal that is far more creative than the folks in the Atlanta public … Continue reading →

Professional chess is having difficulties finding corporate sponsors for its champion matches because of cheating.  Bathroom breaks and smart phones appear to be at the heart of the matter.  Chess players are using both to check resources for their next … Continue reading →