Reference no: EM132186109
The board of directors of Let’s Eat, Inc., a large food and beverage manufacturer, asks a CFE Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) to investigate a potential bribery scheme involving one of its senior managersVice-Presidents, Marshall Smith. Mr. Smith recently contracted with a relief organization to supply food and water to a region of the world that was devastated by a massive earthquake. The board suspects that Let’s Eat is paying bribes to get the supplies into the region, and it wants the CFE to look into the matter and report back.
The CFE interviews Mr. Smith, who explains that he accepted the contract with the relief organization as a charitable effort, and that he expects to break even on the contract. He also tells the examiner that the drivers who deliver the supplies are given cash to keep with them so that when they are stopped by the local militia, they can pay whatever is demanded and continue their mission. Smith says that these special payments are a cost of doing business. He also mentions that in the past, drivers without cash were murdered.
The CFE is sure that none of the money is flowing back to Mr. Smith, whose only motive is to get the supplies delivered. Also, the operation is expected to be completed within the next few months.
The CFE considers whether he should report the special payments to the board or keep silent.
Please answer the following questions about this case:
What ethical values are in conflict, if any?
What harm might be done to the Mr. Smith or Let’s Eat if the examiner CFE were to report the special payments to the board?
What harm might be done to the relief agency if the examiner CFE were to report the special payments to the board?
What might the consequences be to the earthquake victims if the examinerCFE were to report the special payments to the board?
If you were in the examiner’s CFE’s position, how would you feel if earthquake victims died from dehydration or starvation as a result of not receiving the supplies?
What good might come out of the examiner CFE reporting the special payments to the board?
What harm might result if the examiner CFE overlooked the special payments?
What legal considerations should be taken into account considered by the CFE?