October 04, 2006

Backdating Drama

kobi.jpg Company executives are taking extreme measures to avoid penalties for securities fraud these days. The latest drama with Comverse, Inc., a telecom company whose management is accused of back-dating stock options, involved a global manhunt, money laundering through Israel, and Namibian real estate.

Posted by Michelle Smith at 10:33 PM | Comments (0)

October 23, 2005

Bribery in Russia

bribe.jpg A few months ago Market-Racket posted a piece about Russia trying to sell itself as a great place for FDI, and how corruption is sucking credibility out of President Putin’s pitch. In light of Transparency International’s latest corruption survey, which moved Russia from 90th place all the way down to 126th place (out of 159), this phenomenon merits a closer look.

Posted by Michelle Smith at 11:41 PM | Comments (0)

June 05, 2005

Ribbons for Mugabe

Mugabe, Mugabe It’s a shame that there does not exist an award for “Best Dismantler of Markets”. Zimbabwe Prime Minister Robert Mugabe could use the dozens of first-place ribbons he would win to cheer up his otherwise drab charcoal suits.

Posted by Michelle Smith at 05:18 PM | Comments (1)