You have been talking with your best friend, John, for the past couple of weeks about a crisis in his company. He has just learned that his boss has been embezzling money for the past six months. The day he learns about the alleged fraud, he calls to tell you the news. In the telephone conversation, John tells you how much he respects his boss and that his boss is his mentor. You note that his voice seems distant, and he doesn’t respond well to your questions. Later that week, you meet John for lunch. His demeanor is completely changed since you last spoke with him. After a few drinks, John can’t stop bad-mouthing his boss. John also makes a few insulting comments about you. You decide to leave him alone for a few days until he feels better. 

  

A week later, you again meet John for lunch. The subject of the fraud comes up, and John’s attitude is again considerably changed. Instead of being angry, he compares his boss’s life to his own. You think it a bit odd when John says, “I completely understand why he did it. His family life was suffering, his job was in jeopardy, and his mom just died. Given the same circumstances, I might have done the same thing.” You finish lunch and go your separate ways. Later that week, John calls you again. This time, he tells you that he could have prevented the fraud. He feels embarrassed that it happened right before his eyes. 

  

A week later, you ask John if there are any new developments in the investigation. He tells you that he is helping with the investigation by providing all the facts he knows and his observations over the last few months. Now all John wants is to move on. 

  

Identify John’s reactions to the fraud, and explain each stage in detail.