PressEthic

Is the news tiring yet? Yet another newspaper (the Chicago Sun-Times) is dealing with incidence of fraud in its ranks.

Or how about another spin? Yet another corporation is dealing with incidence of theft in its ranks.

It's the same old story these days. With white collar crime hitting new highs, we're left to wonder if any institution is sacred. Today, the AP reported that David Radler, previously publisher at the Chicago Sun-Times has plead guilty to (attempted) thievery of $32 million from his own newspaper's parent company, Hollinger International. The ex-Publisher was accused of five counts of mail fraud and two of wire fraud, but has entered a plea agreement with the prosecution, and will pay the price for one count of mail fraud. His plea agreement will lead to two years and five months in prison, plus a whopping $250,000 fine.

Lets go back to that again. He is a man who works in a profession whose roots lie in trust and honesty. He stole $32 million. At a time when newspapers are struggling to survive, reporters are being laid off, and Americans trust their news sources less and less, he committed a gross incidence of deception.

When are we really going to become fair and balanced when it comes to white collar crime? Granted, a staggering number of people are incarcerated in America today. The numbers have risen dramatically in the last twenty-five years, so it can't be completely suprising that white collar crime is popping up everywhere too. Are we being tough enough, though? Will the Ken Lays and the Martha Stuarts and, now, the David Radler's of the world have an impact on white collar crime?

A study by the United States Sentencing Commission shows that average sentencing for white collar crimes is typically short. More important though, is that while the sentenuces tend to be slightly longer, overall, economic crimes with enormous profits do not lead to harsher punishment.

In America, we are not soft on crime. This country is built on tough love. We also are built on an ideal of questioning those in power. What ever happened to that? Why are those with more money less responsible for their actions? When you take on a role in life that involves great leadership, be it in politics, journalism, or elsewhere, you must be even more accountable to those who you serve. If you do not want to deal with the consequences, do not take on a job which requires great trust and honesty.

We have only just begun to take control of white collar crime. Until our law makers begin to stand up to those who commit real crimes, crimes that breach the trust of thousands at once, we will get nowhere.

David Randal will spend two years and five months in prison. He will pay $250,000 in fines. He stole $32 million, betraying his co-workers at the Chicago Sun-Times, their shareholders, and even the Canadian government.

Is that justice?