How To Punish Corporate Fraudsters

By Eric R. Havian

Edward Thurlow, an English lord chancellor in the 18th century, reputedly said that it’s difficult to punish a corporation because there is “no soul to be damned, and no body to be kicked.”  But there is, in fact, a way to punish corporations for their misdeeds: Bar their officers from government work. So why don’t we?  . . .  The best way to make sure the rank-and-file are turning square corners when dealing with the government is to give them, and their bosses, strong incentives to do the right thing. We no longer punish malefactors by damning their souls. But we need to start kicking their bodies out of the executive suite.  Click here to read the full New York Times OpEd piece.

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