Issuing a false or misleading financial statement is a crime. Depending on the jurisdiction, it could land you in jail for 3 years. A corporation might have to pay up to half a million dollars.
But this hasn’t stopped lawyers pleading on behalf of their clients, when a company has been caught with its trousers down.
Donald Trump’s legal team has consistently gone to appeal in the hopes of throwing out fraud judgements against him.
Trump’s lawyer, D John Sauer, said one of his many alleged acts of wrongdoing happened such a long time ago that it wasn’t worth pursuing.
He also said it was in keeping with best accounting standards.
Really? An attempt to defraud investors is good practice?
Another ploy used by Trump’s lawyers is to claim that the court judgement is political. It’s all intended to muddy the legal waters.
And the question is: do the lawyers have a conscience?
Far too many members of the concierge class, including lawyers, leave their morals and ethics behind them at home when they go to work.
While it’s reasonable for every company and individual to have their day in court, there comes a point where the lawyers are colluding in illegal activity.
And does it take a toll on the mental health of these lawyers? Or do they simply shrug and say “I’m just doing a job, supporting my client”?
The professionals need, to use an old-fashioned expression, to examine their consciences.
The middle classes employed as bag men for rotten clients should ask themselves what impact their work has on democracy and the rule of law.
Every time a bad actor like Trump wins, some small part of the commonwealth dies.
It’s time for the concierge class to open the doors of their gilded cage, step outside and say no to supporting unethical behaviour.
