Alabama Official Sentenced to 10 Years for Accepting Bribes

"A federal judge today sentenced former Jefferson County Commissioner Gary White to 10 years in prison on 2008 convictions for accepting bribes from a sewer contractor whose company had about $50 million in contracts with the county, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick Maley" (www.justice.gov).  Click here to see the press release from the Department of Justice.

One of those things that make you go "hmmmm".  Nonetheless, let it be a lesson to each of us. 

I was watching TV last night (well hulu) and saw a commercial depecting a young, well dressed woman who crawled into a box in an alley to go to sleep.  The caption "it could happen to any of us", was an awareness campaign for homelessness in America. 

I view the above story in much the same light.  It really could happen to any of us.  Sometimes, acquisition professionals get caught up in activities that blur the lines into a sea of grey.  It is not always black and white in acquisitions and we must use professional judgement to make sound decisions.

The rule of thumb that I like to follow is:  if the activities you are engaging in are not illegal, but may be perceived as unethical or questionable, you should immediately remove yourself from further participation...period.