The July 1998 issue of Inc. magazine includes an article by Jeffrey L. Seglin entitled “Would You Lie to Save Your Company?” It recounts the following true situation:

A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a $20-million company that repairs aircraft engines received notice from a number of its customers that engines that it had recently repaired had failed, and that the company’s parts were to blame.

The CEO had not yet determined whether his company’s parts were, in fact, the cause of the problem. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had been notified and was investigating the matter.

What complicated the situation was that the company was in the midst of its year-end audit. As part of the audit, the CEO was required to sign a letter saying that he was not aware of any significant outstanding circumstances that could negatively impact the company—in accounting terms, of any con- tingent liabilities. The auditor was not aware of the customer complaints or the FAA investigation.

The company relied heavily on short-term loans from eight banks. The CEO feared that if these lenders learned of the situation, they would pull their loans. The loss of these loans would force the company into bankruptcy, leaving hundreds of people without jobs. Prior to this problem, the company had a stellar performance record.
Instructions Answer the following questions:

(a) Who are the stakeholders in this situation?

(b) What are the CEO’s possible courses of action? What are the potential results of each course of action? (Your response should take into account the two alternative outcomes: the FAA determines the company was not at fault, and the FAA determines the company was at fault.)

(c) What would you do, and why?

(d) Suppose the CEO decides to conceal the situation, and that during the next year the company is found to be at fault and is forced into bankruptcy. What losses are incurred by the stakeholders in this situation? Do you think the CEO should suffer legal consequences if he decides to conceal the situation?