Sunday, August 22, 2010

"A Sweetheart Deal"

That's a quote from Judge Emmet Sullivan commenting on the deal our government made with Barclay's Bank which had been charged with changing records to hide sanctions violations by Iran, Cuba and other friends. Barclays acknowledged that they had violated the law and were willing to pay a fine of $298,000,000. If the money is paid soon and there are no violations in the next two years, everything will be fine with the prosecutors. No one will have to go to jail or even brought to trial. Despite his characterization of the deal, Judge Sullivan approved it.

There have been several similar agreements which have brought us money but did not result in any bank executive suffering personally by being placed on trial and very likely spending time in prison. How many other violators of the law are so fortunate?

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