Monthly Archives: January 2011

“Once I started to realize I wasn’t earning my money, I felt bad. I was making a crazy amount of money for not even pitching. Honestly I didn’t feel like I deserved it. I didn’t want to have those feelings again.” “

Posted on January 28, 2011 by mmjdiary

Gil Meche, a 32-year-old pitcher with the Kansas City Royals, who will not report for spring training because of problems with his shoulder that preclude him from pitching.  His contract allows him to be paid for having surgery and showing … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Quotes | Leave a comment

“I always like to do what the smart guys are doing.”

Posted on January 26, 2011 by mmjdiary

Merrill Lynch proprietary desk trader e-mailing a colleague about his purchase of 10,000 shares of Teva Pharmaceutical after a Merrill institutional client placed an order to sell 40,000 share of Teva.  Merrill was, in effect, trading on client data. 

Posted in Classic Quotes | Leave a comment

“Otherwise, our business will stop and we will lose the market. We have to change our strategy and do more compensation to get the rewards.”

Posted on January 26, 2011 by mmjdiary

e-mail from Innospec’s agent in Iraq to CEO, Paul W. Jennings (no relation to the Barometer) on why Innospec needed to continue to pay Iraqi officials a 2% kickback.  Mr. Jennings settled FCPA charges by agreeing to pay $229,000.  Mr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Quotes | Leave a comment

In the “Hmmm” Category — Cam Newton and Auburn

Posted on January 26, 2011 by mmjdiary

Heisman winner and Auburn quarterback of the BCS championship-winning Auburn football team, Cam Newton, has announced that he will not be returning to his potential alma mater for his senior year.  He called the choice “difficult” for him and his … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Events | Leave a comment

The Barometer — Official Thought Leader

Posted on January 23, 2011 by mmjdiary

Marianne Jennings was recently selected as one of 2010’s Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Behavior. This year’s list of recipients includes leaders from the public and private sectors as well as authors, consultants, researchers and academics. Selection is based on continuing and … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Events | Leave a comment

In “Under the Bus” and “Never Trust the People You Cheat With” Category

Posted on January 22, 2011 by mmjdiary

When you are caught on a wiretap cursing, stewing, and fretting about being caught for insider trading, there are not many routes for your defense attorney to take.  Suppress the wiretapped conversations that indicate intent?  With that evidentiary fight lost, … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Events | Leave a comment

“They pushed me hard to get here and invest, and then they pull the rug out from under me. The whole thing has left a bad taste in my mouth.”

Posted on January 19, 2011 by mmjdiary

Goldman client agitated over Goldman’s withdrawal of its Facebook offering over fears that it would run afoul of securities laws.  Oh, you poor naive man.  Did you not see the congressional hearings?  Did you not witness the SEC settlement?

Posted in Classic Quotes | Leave a comment

Hackers and Rationalizations

Posted on January 19, 2011 by mmjdiary

Andrew Auernheimer and Daniel Spitler were able to gather the email addresses of 120,000 Apple iPad users when they hacked into AT&T’s website in June 2010.  AT&T acknowledged a flaw in its website. Messrs. Auernheimer and Spitler fell victim to hubris … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Events | Leave a comment

Conflicts Matter — Vaccine Studies and Litigation

Posted on January 17, 2011 by mmjdiary

Andrew Wakefield published his study on vaccines and autism in the British medical journal, The Lancet, in 1998.  Parents worldwide declined or withheld vaccines from their children as a result.  The Lancet withdrew the study in 2010 because a look … Continue reading →

Posted in News and Events | Leave a comment

Letter to the Editor — Wall Street Journal

Posted on January 14, 2011 by mmjdiary

The Wall Street Journal published a letter to the editor from the Barometer on Monday, January 10, 2011.  The letter was in response to a December 31, 2010 op-ed piece on what boards need.  The letter was, of course, edited … Continue reading →

Posted in Analysis | Leave a comment

“No different than [sic] Wall Street insider trading. Except I didn’t affect the economy.”

Posted on January 10, 2011 by mmjdiary

Tim Donaghy, former NBA ref who served 15 months for betting on games, in the New York Times, January 9, 2010.  Except insider trading is illegal too.

Posted in Classic Quotes | Leave a comment

Goldman, With Its Toes to the Line, Again

Posted on January 5, 2011 by mmjdiary

Facebook wanted to remain a privately held company and it was getting too close to the 500-shareholder limit.  Actually, it was over that size limit, but the SEC gave it an exemption in 2008 to allow the company to exclude … Continue reading →

Posted in Analysis | Leave a comment

Embezzling from Nuns

Posted on January 5, 2011 by mmjdiary

Former New Jersey attorney Gary R. Thompson was indicted on 45 counts related to his alleged stealing from the Cornelian Community Counselors.  The CCC, a group founded by a Roman Catholic nun, offers legal services to the poor.  Mr. Thompson, … Continue reading →

Posted in You might have crossed a few ethical lines if . . . | Leave a comment

Rosetta Stone, Google, and UGG, oh my!

Posted on January 5, 2011 by mmjdiary

Google uses Rosetta Stone’s trademark to identify relevant information to Google users who are searching on those trademarks.  That is, if you search for Rosetta Stone, you will pull up Rosetta Stone, the language learning system.  However, your Google search … Continue reading →

Posted in For the legal side | Leave a comment