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CORRUPTION in Business and Government

When a CEO or President is found to be corrupt, you can be assured this person is not alone. A corrupt president can scarcely work alone. Too many people are aware of his/her activities.  Count on up to the next three levels down is also mostly corrupt. Thus the vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, and many down into the manager ranks are likely corrupt.  You might say corruption grows roots.

Why?  Because the corrupt hire the corrupt. Reasons? Comfort factor, operations factor, alliance factor, and cover factor, are just four.

Why not further down? Because the corrupt need secrecy, and thus the circle of corruption must remain small, as in manageable to control leaks.

How to detect who is corrupt? Look at the group of leaders gaining a total of 90% of the bonus money. This will comprise the inner circle if corruption is present.

Examples in business. Wirecard Scandal (2020), WorldCom Scandal (2002), Volkswagen Emissions Scandal (2015), Enron Scandal (2001), The Theranos Scandal (2015-2018), The FIFA Corruption Scandal (2015), The Lehman Brothers Collapse (2008)

Examples in government. The Jack Abramoff Lobbying Scandal (2000s), The HUD Scandal (1980s), Chicago City Council Corruption (1970s-2000s), Abscam Scandal (1978-1980), Teapot Dome Scandal (1920s)

Exceptions. There we see a singleton corruption enterprise, usually a bookkeeper or the like who is clever. Often, we see cases of a mayor (or governor) awarding contracts to private vendors without bids or other considerations. Unions also fall prey to corruption, with local union officials grafting off of generous union dues.

One takeaway. If you suspect someone way above your level is corrupt and want to report it, consider your immediate boss is in on the game. 

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