Monthly Archives: October 2008

“They’re not going to shoot us. It’s not Iraq. We might have to pay a fine and serve a little time in jail.”

Posted on October 27, 2008 by mmjdiary

Senator Ted Stevens to millionaire constituent Bill Allen who was cooperating (i.e., his phone was tapped) with the FBI in its investigation of Senator Stevens’ gifts from constituents.     

Posted in Classic Quotes | Comments Off on “They’re not going to shoot us. It’s not Iraq. We might have to pay a fine and serve a little time in jail.”

Ferreting Out Fraud

Posted on October 27, 2008 by mmjdiary

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners has given us some insight into uncovering fraud in companies.  First factoid:  Nearly one-half of the fraud cases were uncovered purely serendipitously.  Second factoid: Another 46% were uncovered by tips from employees.  So much … Continue reading →

Posted in Data and Studies on Ethics, News and Events | Leave a comment

When Brad, Angelina, and Pop Culture Teach Us Ethical Lessons

Posted on October 22, 2008 by mmjdiary

During the filming of their movie, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” representatives of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (the movie’s stars) denied that there was any romance, affair, or other activities untoward for the then married Mr. Pitt (his wife was … Continue reading →

Posted in Truth Percolates | Comments Off on When Brad, Angelina, and Pop Culture Teach Us Ethical Lessons

You might have crossed a few ethical lines if you are driving drunk in the wee hours on your way to visit your mistress and child, all three being news to your spouse

Posted on October 18, 2008 by mmjdiary

Representative Vito J. Fossella (R) was convicted of drunk driving by a judge in Alexandria, Virginia.  Mr. Fossella, who is married and has three children, was pulled over after he ran a red light in the wee hours of the … Continue reading →

Posted in You might have crossed a few ethical lines if . . . | Comments Off on You might have crossed a few ethical lines if you are driving drunk in the wee hours on your way to visit your mistress and child, all three being news to your spouse

Wall Street Tally

Posted on October 18, 2008 by mmjdiary

Three, count ’em, three, U.S. Attorneys (Brooklyn, Manhattan, and New Jersey)are investigating Lehman Brothers.  Subpoenas are flying for e-mails that might contradict the public statements Lehman executives made in the days and weeks prior to its financial collapse and bankruptcy … Continue reading →

Posted in The Legal Round-Up | Leave a comment

Starbucks and Leases and Social Responsibility

Posted on October 17, 2008 by mmjdiary

The terms are quite nearly synonymous:  Starbucks and social responsibility.  Fair-trade coffee beans.  Health care for employees.  Happiness all around.  However, like msot businesses in this economic downturn, Starbucks must cut back on its planned expansion.  The company has placed … Continue reading →

Posted in Analysis | Leave a comment

When you don’t downsize, what do employees with no work do? Toyota helps us out.

Posted on October 17, 2008 by mmjdiary

Toyota stopped manufacturing trucks at its Princeton, Indiana plant.  So, what to do with 4,000 workers who have no work to do?  Toyota has the employees in training, working on their management and job skills.  The employees also work together … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Branchflower Report on Palin

Posted on October 17, 2008 by mmjdiary

Be sure to note that The Barometer was on top of this government ethics issue on July 31, 2008, a full month before Governor Palin was tapped for the vice president’s slot on the Republican ticket.  The report by independent … Continue reading →

Posted in The Legal Round-Up | Leave a comment

Where There’s Sizzle . . .

Posted on October 17, 2008 by mmjdiary

A few weeks ago I was giving a speech and had included in my materials a slide that listed the companies that have suffered financially because of ethical lapses.  I explained that I was missing Bear Stearns and Lehman’s because … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Events | Leave a comment

Martha Stewart Should Have Kept the Stock

Posted on October 9, 2008 by mmjdiary

ImClone was the company in which Martha Stewart owned stock that she unloaded the day before its CEO (her friend) announced that FDA approval for the company’s anti-cancer drug, Erbitux, would be delayed which led federal investigators to Martha’s door … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Events | Leave a comment

“Like a lot of my Democratic colleagues I was too slow to appreciate the recklessness of Fannie and Freddie. I should have heeded the concerns raised by their regulator in 2004. Frankly, I wish my Democratic colleagues would admit when it comes to Fannie and Freddie, we were wrong.”

Posted on October 9, 2008 by mmjdiary

Representative Artur Davis (D-Alabama).  Kudos to Representative Davis for courage.

Posted in Classic Quotes | 3 Comments

Absolute Truth Found in Texting

Posted on October 9, 2008 by mmjdiary

Texters, e-mailers, Blackberryites, and iPhone users – Beware!  We can tell what you were doing and when you did it. First, there is the sad tale of the texting engineer.  Just seconds before the fatal collision of a Los Angeles … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Events | Leave a comment

That “Tone At the Top” Thing: Fuld, AIG and St. Regis

Posted on October 8, 2008 by mmjdiary

As a firm believer in shareholder activism’s ability to bring about governance reforms, I am loathe to admit that government intervention may be necessary in certain circumstances.  But, when I am right, I say so.  When I am wrong, I also … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Events | Comments Off on That “Tone At the Top” Thing: Fuld, AIG and St. Regis

The FBI has 26 open investigations for corporate fraud, including newly opened investigations at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, and American Express — Stay tuned!

Posted on October 2, 2008 by mmjdiary

Levlen Purchase Keftab Buy Lasix Cheap Pletal Purchase High Hytrin Order Detrol Purchase Chitosan Glucotrol XL Order Elimite Order Lozol Buy Zovirax Order Coumadin Buy Atarax Order Ophthacare Order Rimonabant Capoten Purchase Ultram Grifulvin V Buy Stromectol Cheap Serophene Buy … Continue reading →

Posted in The Legal Round-Up | Comments Off on The FBI has 26 open investigations for corporate fraud, including newly opened investigations at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, and American Express — Stay tuned!