Amy's Mistake
It had been a rough year for Amy. She had made some bad investments and her husband had had a severe illness that racked up a ton of medical bills before he passed away. The life insurance had barely left enough to pay off his debts and pay for the funeral. While she made good money it was not enough to keep her in the lifestyle she had become accustomed to. She was now so deep in debt she didn't see any way to keep her house or pay for her daughter's college tuition.
Then one day she saw her way out. Amy was the CFO of one the largest and richest companies in all of the world. Surely they wouldn't miss a few thousand dollars. She just needed enough to pull her out of debt and get back on her feet. Then her salary would be enough. She started over the course of two years shifting a couple of hundred dollars a week to an offshore account in her mother's name.
After two years she had managed to put away over ten thousand dollars. That was enough she could now pay off her debts and get back on her feet. That was when she got the phone call that changed her life. She had to report to Frank Grant, the CEO's, office at 9am tomorrow morning. She knew she was in trouble.
The following morning she found herself standing in front of Frank's desk waiting for what she knew was to come.
"Amy," Frank said, "We found the account, we know what you have been doing. You know what I am talking about so don't bother denying it."
"Mr Grant, I am sorry. After my husband's death I didn't know what to do. I was so overwhelmed, I didn't think you would miss a few thousand dollars. You make millions every year."
"I make millions because I keep track of every penny. I will admit you hid it well. Ten thousand is not a few thousand. I should call the police."
"Please sir I haven't spent any of it. It just sits in an account. I can pay the company in 24 hours. I will give you my resignation and have the money back in the company account by this time tomorrow."
"Oh don't worry we have already gotten the money back and you are fired, but what kind of message am I sending to the rest of the company and my investors if I let it go unpunished."
"Please, sir I can't go to prison. Is there anything I can do?"
"As a matter of fact I have talked to the company lawyers and we have come up with another option. This option is non negotiable and totally legal. You will have a choice...take the option I am about to give you or go to prison. The lawyers are waiting for my call."
That is when she noticed the other person in the room. He stood and introduced himself as the chief attorney for the company. He was there to outline the option.
"Miss Jensen. I have a contract here for you to sign, if you sign it and abide by it you stay out of prison. If you refuse to sign it, I will have federal officers here in 30 minutes to arrest you. That is your only choice. The contract is the only thing that will keep you out of prison.