The pantheon of edgy CEO’s includes TYCO’s Dennis Koslowski whose sales tax dodge on artwork he purchased mirrored a fast and loose corporate stewardship that resulted in jail time. New research suggests Koslowski was not unique, those prone to pushing the boundaries – legal and otherwise – seem as likely to do it in the corporate suite as behind the wheel of a speeding car. Keep an eye on those edgy acheivers, even if (maybe especially if), their foot seems never to come off the accelerator in pursuit of outsized results.
Tag Archives: Resource diversion
Ably Disabled? Thanks, Doc!
Retiring as a public employee? You’ll usually get a better deal, and earlier, if disability is the reason. The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) in metropolitan New York has had extraordinarily high disability retirement rates–in some years over 90%–among employees who worked in an alternative universe where relatively low-intensity jobs occupationally incapacitated just about everybody. Not surprisingly, retirement-enabling diagnoses were easy to get from doctors like Peter Ajemian, whose fraudulent work-ups just earned him forced retirement to federal prison.
The Art of Double-Dipping
So, how do you grab a respite from the 24 hour firefighter shift you’re getting paid for? 1) Throw a buddy a few bucks to cover for you for several hours; 2) Spend those hours at another job. Thirteen indicted Cleveland firefighters, prosecutors allege, had this down to a science
Seedy Symbiosis: Pols & Non-Profits
Now it’s official: The New York Times has taken note of how often the resources of non-profits end up in the pockets of local politicians. Maybe the Times reporters have been reading this blog.
Prince of the City
In New York City back in the day, calling someone a “Prince” meant the opposite, way opposite. So here is State Senator John Sampson, a “prince.”
Imagination in Sentencing!
Pennsylvania government more often makes headlines for innovative corruption than for innovative responses thereto. So let’s give justice, in the person of Judge Lester Nauhaus, its due. This blog has been following the saga of now-convicted Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, whose sentence from Judge Nauhaus sends a message other judges can’t miss.
Uncontrolled Comptroller: 53M/20 Years
One year for each 2.5 million the esteemed Dixon, IL comptroller stole from the city. Wonder if anyone who doesn’t get sentencing guidelines now thinks stealing 200K is only worth a month in jail. Seriously, the real moral is that no one handling finances should ever be spared serious, regular audits and heathy oversight skepticism. http://www.suntimes.com/news/18227927-418/ex-dixon-comptroller-gets-19-12-years-in-prison-in-53-million-theft.html
Public Service Pays in Bell
In Bell, California, top officials got paid like corporate CEOs and city Council members like members of corporate boards, except that it appears members of corporate boards worked much harder. Let’s see how the trial pans out.
Cashing Out on the Turnpike
As this story notes, cashing in accumulated vacation and sick leave at retirement is common in public agencies. So, given the inertial nature of organizations, and the employees’ sense of entitlement to such benefits where they exist, agencies that end “cash-out” policies will likely experience plague-level sick leaves that put the CDC on high alert. Ohio Turnpike’s director thinks pay policies are too generous at toll road | cleveland.com.
Fish or fowl? ‘In-between’ organizations
Living large at a quasi-public/quasi-private insurer of workers comp in Missouri. Such corporate style high-life draws outrage no matter how slim the government connection, witness Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executive compensation. However, these executive salaries, perks, sports boxes and conferences at posh resorts are routine at private firms that issue insurance and finance mortages. STLToday.com: Missouri audit blasts state-sponsored insurer.