Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

1 Approved Answer

In December, 2008, former Merrill Lynch Chairman, John Thain spent over $1.2 million dollars to renovate his office even though Merrill Lynch was fighting to

In December, 2008, former Merrill Lynch Chairman, John Thain spent over $1.2 million dollars to renovate his office even though Merrill Lynch was fighting to survive. By the way, John Thain's annual salary was reportedly $83.1 million dollars for 2008. (Do some research here.) To make matters worse, Mr. Thain decided to pay out over $3 billion dollars in bonuses to employees at year's end even though he knew his company was being acquired by Bank of America January 1, 2009.What's worse is Bank of America asked for a $25 billion bailout from the U.S. Government, and then went back and asked for $20 billion more (after the brouhaha came out about Merrill Lynch's employees receiving bonuses). Also, Bank of America was made aware that Mr. Thain was paying bonuses at year end.

Answer (with explanations) the following questions:

(1) Was John Thain's actions ethical given the nature of the economy?

(2) Was Mr. Thain looking out for Merrill Lynch's external as well as internal stakeholders?

(3) Does Bank of America have any complicity here in regard to its own Ethics?

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

blur-text-image

Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image

Step: 3

blur-text-image

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Governmental And Nonprofit Accounting Theory And Practice

Authors: Robert J Freeman, Craig D Shoulders, Gregory S Allison, Terry K Patton, Robert Smith,

9th Edition

0132552728, 9780132552721

More Books

Students also viewed these Accounting questions