Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society

Accountability and transparency are important elements of professional responsibility. Shouldn’t these ideas apply to the SEC Office of the Whistleblower? See below....

Why does the SEC whistleblower reward program have so many secrets? | The FCPA Blog The SEC has awarded 123 whistleblowers an astounding $731 million since the first payout in 2012. But what do we really know about the whistleblower program? The SEC's Office of the Whistleblower recently released its 2020 Annual Report to Congress, and it raises more questions than it answ ...

The Fordham University's Center for Ethics Education is holding an Ethics and Social Justice Essay competition for undergraduates. The theme for the 2020 competition is Racial Justice: Realities and Possibilities. The deadline to submit is December 1, 2020 and you can win a top prize of $1,000. See the picture for additional details on submission and essay criteria.

The APPE IEB is sponsoring an undergraduate paper competition in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl competition, along with the Ethics Program at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University. All past and present Ethics Bowl participants enrolled in an undergraduate program are eligible to potentially win a $250 prize as well as the opportunity to present the paper at a dedicated session during the APPE conference. See the picture for details.

Gretchen Winter, Executive Director of the Center, is joining forces with compliance expert Murray Grainger for an international webinar and Q&A on August 13th. Topics that will be discussed include:

-Why whistleblowing is more than “best practice”
-What you call it matters: fostering trust and usage
-Intercultural differences in Europe and beyond

See more details and how to join here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/webinar-theeuwhistleblowerprotectiondirective-newp

Webinar: The EU Whistleblower Protection Directive: new perspectives | LinkedIn Ahead of implementation of the Whistleblower Protection Directive, we will look at what this means for public and private entities in the EU - and the people who work there. From what you call your incident reporting system to ensuring emotional support for the whistleblowers, are you and your organ...

The Pioneers in Business Ethics project organized by the Center was featured in the June 2020 Society for Business Ethics Newsletter. Read more about the project and its most recent updates here: https://sbeonline.org/2020/06/pioneers-in-business-ethics-project-update/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=https%3a%2f%2fsbeonline.org%2f2020%2f06%2fpioneers-in-business-ethics-project-update%2f&utm_campaign=SBE+Newsletter+25-06-2020&WT.mc_id=SBE+Newsletter+25-06-2020

Pioneers in Business Ethics - Project Update - Society for Business Ethics THE PIONEERS IN BUSINESS ETHICS PROJECT Worrying about ethics in commerce may have begun in 1800 BC with the Code of Hammurabi, aimed at creating laws and norms in the ancient city of Babylon. As a separate academic discipline, though, modern normative business ethics began in the early 1970s follow...

Register to attend the Ethics Bowl Summer Workshop, a two-day event, scheduled for four hours each day, Friday, July 24th and Saturday, July 25th. Saturday will focus on the various ways that going virtual will impact the Ethics Bowl, and Friday will focus on many of the traditional themes such as forming a team, discussions of coaching strategies, rules, and judging.

The link to register is here: https://www.appe-ethics.org/summer-workshop

APPE IEB® Summer Workshop_Virtual 2019 Ethics Bowl Summer Workshop

Engineering Solutions for the Next Pandemic:
Exploring Ethics Concerns

In collaboration with the American Association of Engineering Education (ASEE) Ethics Division, and the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE), the National Academy of Engineering Online Ethics Center (OEC) is hosting a series of panel discussions on “Engineering Solutions for the Next Pandemic: Exploring Ethics Concerns.” Through the panel discussions, explore how engineers might prepare for future pandemics, through new engineering solutions developed with the insight and knowledge gained during this current crisis. What will it take to develop future solutions that adhere to fundamental principles and codes of engineering ethics? What can we learn from this situation that can inform engineering education?

Panel 1: Standards of ethics for R&D, infrastructure, and systems during a crisis
June 19, 2:00-3:15PM (Eastern)
To register in advance for this webinar (required):
https://nasem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gW2enrh2QTi_L3SrYQbZsg

Panel 2: Ethics of challenge studies, avalanche testing and other approaches to
vaccine development
June 24, 1:00-2:15PM (Eastern)
Register in advance for this webinar (required):
https://nasem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OGFctPz6SfawpRFl8F5hwQ

Panel 3: Social (in)justice, disparities in Covid-19 health care delivery
June 26th 4:00-5:15PM (Eastern)
Register in advance for this webinar (required):
Https://nasem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OjehYfH-ReSktPENkWfYdQ

For more information on the panels and the panelists, go to https://giesgroups.illinois.edu/cprbs/home/.

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Engineering Solutions for the Next Pandemic: Exploring Ethics Concerns. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Standards of ethics for R&D, infrastructure, and systems during a crisis People are asking FDA and other institutions to “change the rules” because of the extenuating circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic. Others would argue that it’s never appropriate to compromise the rules of ethics we hav...

Read about the Lockheed Martin Ethics in Engineering case competition that the Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society helped develop along with the Gies College of Business and Lockheed Martin in Industry Week.

https://www.industryweek.com/talent/article/21130773/ethics-for-engineers-lockheed-martin-challenges-the-next-generation

Ethics for Engineers: Lockheed Martin Challenges the Next Generation An annual competition fosters critical thinking around technology.

Thank you to Patrick Gnazzo, Principal at Better Business Practices LLC, who delivered a wonderful lecture on business ethics last night to our Business 101 students and the public. His lecture titled "Business and Ethics are Like Oil and Vinegar" was presented at Lincoln Hall Theater at 6pm and 7pm on Wednesday, November 13. Also, thank you to the generous and supportive Dick Leighton, and his late wife Grace. Without their support over the years, the Leighton Lecture series would not be possible.

Great article on the relevance of Ethics Bowl by UC-Santa Cruz Philosophy Professor Jonathan Ellis and former ethics bowler Francesca Hovagimian.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/12/opinion/sunday/school-debate-politics.html

Opinion | Are School Debate Competitions Bad for Our Political Discourse? They can be a good credential for aspiring leaders, but they favor a closed-minded and partisan style of argument.

Read about how Patricia Werhane helps Gies students tackle eithical decisions in this wonderful article posted to the Gies Business website.

https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/news/2019/10/01/werhane-tackles-tough-ethical-issues-for-gies-students

Werhane tackles tough ethical issues for Gies students For more than 100 years, Gies Business has intentionally designed its innovative programs, leading-edge curriculum, and experiential learning opportunities to empower and prepare students to turn big ideas into meaningful actions.

A TBT for B101—remembering the original course design! Thanks to all who were involved in making this vision come to life!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FpzirBYsvk

Business 101

Reminder to apply for the Professional Responsibility Strategy Competition if you have Junior or Senior standing or are a graduate student. The deadline is tomorrow, Wednesday, September 18 at 11:59pm. Apply here: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/5669118

Illinois Identity Provider Selection Choose your home organisation to authenticate

Experience a different twist on case competitions! Tell us how to address and resolve professional responsibility challenges in the oil industry!

Join us at the PRSC Information Session on Thursday, September 12 at 7pm! Hear more about how to apply to participate in the Professional Responsibility Strategy Competition and other competition details.

RSVP here: https://giesgroups.illinois.edu/CPRBS/rsvp_boot?id=548924

Apply here: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/5669118

PRSC Information Session - Center for Professional Responsibility in Business and Society Come and learn more about the Professional Responsibility Strategy Competition!

This Day in History...

On this day in 2015, three plead guilty to bribery-related charges involving Russian nuclear energy. Read more about it here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/russian-nuclear-energy-official-pleads-guilty-money-laundering-conspiracy-involving

Russian Nuclear Energy Official Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, August 31, 2015 Russian Nuclear Energy Official Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act U.S. Conspirators Paid Over $2 Million to Influence Russian Nuclear Ener...

This Day in History...

On this day in 2013, Merrill Lynch agreed to a $160 million settlement in a racial bias case. Read more about it here: https://www.nbcnews.com/businessmain/merrill-lynch-agrees-settle-racial-bias-suit-160-million-8C11022530

Merrill Lynch agrees to settle racial bias suit for $160 million Breaking News EmailsGet breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.SUBSCRIBEAug. 28, 2013, 11:33 AM UTCBank of America Corp's Merrill Lynch unit agreed to pay $160 million to settle a racial bias lawsuit that went through two appeals at the...

This Day in History...

On this day in 2016, VW announced a $1.2 billion agreement with U.S. dealers regarding Dieselgate. Read more about it here: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-volkswagen-emissions-idUSKCN1101RS

Volkswagen to spend at least $1.2 billion to compensate U.S.... Volkswagen AG has agreed to spend more than $1.2 billion to compensate its 650 U...

This Day in History...

On this day in 2014, Smith & Wesson reached a $2 million FCPA settlement with SEC. Read more about it here: http://www.fcpablog.com/blog/2014/7/28/smith-wesson-pays-sec-2-million-to-resolve-fcpa-violations.html

On this day in 2015, Mead Johnson reached a $12 million FCPA books and records settlement. Read more about it here: http://www.fcpablog.com/blog/2015/7/28/mead-johnson-pays-12-million-to-settle-sec-fcpa-charges.html

Smith & Wesson pays SEC $2 million to resolve FCPA violations - The FCPA Blog - The FCPA Blog

This Day in History...

On this day in 2002, WorldCom filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Read more about it here: https://money.cnn.com/2002/07/19/news/worldcom_bankruptcy/

On this day in 2014, Johns Hopkins agreed to pay $190M over gynecologist who secretly recorded images of patients. Read more about it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/22/us/johns-hopkins-settlement-190-million.html

On this day in 2015, Toshiba CEO resigned amid $1.2billion accounting scandal. Read more about it here: https://money.cnn.com/2015/07/21/investing/toshiba-ceo-resigns/index.html

WorldCom files largest bankruptcy ever - Jul. 19, 2002 WorldCom, the nation's No. 2 long-distance phone company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late Sunday, nearly one month after it revealed that it had improperly booked $3.8 billion in expenses.

This Day in History...

On this day in 2005, WorldCom's Bernard Ebbers was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Read more about it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/13/business/ebbers-sentenced-to-25-years-in-prison-for-11-billion-fraud.html

Ebbers Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for $11 Billion Fraud The punishment is among the toughest of those given to top executives implicated in large-scale corporate wrongdoing.

This Day in History...

On this day in 2009, Bernard Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison. Read more about the sentencing here: https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/newyork/press-releases/2009/nyfo062909.htm

Bernard Madoff Sentenced to 150 Years in Prison LEV L. DASSIN, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and JOSEPH M. DEMAREST, JR., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced that BERNARD L. MADOFF was sentenced today in Manhattan federal...

This Day in History...

On this day in 2016, VW reached a $14.7 billion settlement in diesel scandal. Read more about it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/business/volkswagen-settlement-diesel-scandal.html

Volkswagen to Pay $14.7 Billion to Settle Diesel Claims in U.S. The automaker, federal officials and lawyers for a half-million diesel owners have reached a deal meant to resolve a big piece of the emissions cheating scandal.

This Day in History...

On this day in 2002, WorldCom announced the need to restate financial results. Read more about it here: https://www.upi.com/WorldCom-to-restate-earnings/69251025053750/

WorldCom to restate earnings Shares of WorldCom plunged in after-hours trading on Tuesday when it was reported that the beleaguered telecommunications giant has allegedly misrepresented up to $3.6 billion in a massive accounting fraud that may force it to file for bankruptcy.

This Day in History...

On this day in 2015, AT&T was hit with a $100 million fine over "unlimited" data plans. Read more about it here: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/att-hit-100-million-fine-unlimited-data-plans/story?id=31833726

AT&T Hit With $100 Million Fine Over Unlimited Data Plans The Federal Communications Commission hit AT&T with a $100 million fine today over allegations the telecommunications company slowed down data speeds for some customers.

This Day in History...

On this day in 2010, BP agreed to establish a $20 billion oil spill fund. Read more here: http://science.time.com/2010/06/16/bp-agrees-puts-up-20-billion-for-a-spill-compensation-fund/

BP Agrees Puts Up $20 Billion for a Spill Compensation Fund | TIME.com During his Oval Office speech last night, President Barack Obama told the American people that he would be meeting with the chairman of BP on Wednesday and that Obama would "inform him that he is to set aside whatever resources are required to compensate the workers and business owners who have been...

This Day in History...

On this day in 2003, Martha Stewart was indicted on obstruction charges. Read more here: https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/05/business/prosecuting-martha-stewart-overview-martha-stewart-indicted-us-obstruction.html

PROSECUTING MARTHA STEWART: THE OVERVIEW; Martha Stewart Indicted by U.S. On Obstruction Martha Stewart is indicted on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and securities fraud in conection with sale of ImClone Systems stock in 2001; pleads not guilty to all charges; announces that she is stepping down as chairwoman and chief executive of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, but wi...

This Day in History...

On this day in 2006, Kenneth Lay and Jeff Skilling, former chief executives of Enron, were found guilty on a combined 25 counts. Read more about it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/25/business/25cnd-enron.html

Enron Chiefs Guilty of Fraud and Conspiracy Kenneth L. Lay and Jeffrey K. Skilling were found guilty of fraud and conspiracy today. Sentencing is set for the week of Sept. 11.

This Day in History...

On this day in 2017, Citigroup agreed to $97 million money-laundering settlement. Read more about it here: https://www.nasdaq.com/article/citigroup-c-settles-money-laundering-probe-to-pay-97m-cm793259

Citigroup (C) Settles Money Laundering Probe, To Pay $97M On Monday, banking giant, Citigroup Inc.C , and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) entered into a settlement agreement related to the criminal.

This Day in History...

On this day in 2014, Credit Suisse pleaded guilty and agreed to pay a $2.6 billion fine over helping U.S. citizens avoid taxes. Read more about it here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/credit-suisse-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-aid-and-assist-us-taxpayers-filing-false-returns

Credit Suisse Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Aid and Assist U.S. Taxpayers in Filing False Returns Credit Suisse AG pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to aid and assist U.S. taxpayers in filing false income tax returns and other documents with the Internal Revenue Service.