nigel99 607 #1 February 21, 2011 Interesting dilemma. I did work for a client a few years ago who was a shady character. It turned out that he had a criminal record for fraud. I have recently been contacted by someone who has recently invested in this individual as they are concerned that the story he is telling doesn't quite ring true. I felt really guilty/bad about it but I did mention that the individual has a criminal record for fraud. I feel crap as technically if you have served your time you deserve a 2nd chance (not that I think he learn't his lesson).I suppose I could have just said that a Criminal record check is a wise move when investing and left it at that.Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #2 February 21, 2011 You did the proper thing. You spoke the truth, and left it up to the individual to decide for himself how he should proceed with that knowledge. I see nothing wrong with that. How would you feel if you had NOT warned the investor, and he had ended up losing his money due to yet more fraud, which could have been prevented if you had only spoke up? I think this outcome would be far worse. You have nothing to feel guilty about. It's the criminal that put everyone in this situation, and any blame or guilt for the predicament, resides strictly with him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 607 #3 February 21, 2011 Thanks it is a bizarre situation, it is not everyday that I do business with crooks (I hope) He is the smoothest talking guy I have ever met.Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theplummeter 15 #4 February 21, 2011 The truth only hurts when it should. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #5 February 21, 2011 QuoteHe is the smoothest talking guy I have ever met. You have to ask yourself, did he make a mistake that put him across the line, or is he a smooth talking person who makes a habit of playing things wrong? How would you feel if this person was ripped off for all of his life savings by the smooth talker? How would you feel if this person made millions from the same? The person who called you was wanting to know what you know and to have it told to him with no spin and full honesty. That person can make their own decisions. If you mentioned that a CCH should be taken and that person didn't head your advice, they're on their own. If they looked, found what you found and were burned, that is their own problem. You did your part to be the honest person.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #6 February 21, 2011 I think it depends on what kind of work you do for said 'clients'... If you change their oil, no big deal...but if you're their attorney or some such person that ethically shouldn't divulge personal information, you may have over stepped a bit. I kinda like your idea about just saying something like doing a criminal background check will be advantageous prior to any further investing. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #7 February 21, 2011 QuoteThanks it is a bizarre situation, it is not everyday that I do business with crooks (I hope) He is the smoothest talking guy I have ever met. I've had dealings with a couple sociopaths who were also some of the smoothest talking guys you ever met. One of them got me within a hairs breadth of getting arrested when I was a teenager. The other would have made things hell for me when I was in college, had it not been for a fellow student having compiled a file documenting all the crap the crook had pulled in the past."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 607 #8 February 21, 2011 Quote I think it depends on what kind of work you do for said 'clients'... If you change their oil, no big deal...but if you're their attorney or some such person that ethically shouldn't divulge personal information, you may have over stepped a bit. I kinda like your idea about just saying something like doing a criminal background check will be advantageous prior to any further investing. If I was a lawyer I wouldn't be getting advice on dz.comFunny story about when the penny dropped about his record.It was on a trip to the US when the visa waiver for UK was still in place. We both had UK passports but he had a Visa (which always embarrassed him but he did not say why). Anyway I was busy ticking the boxes.. Have you been involved in prostitution Y/N Have you dealt drugs Y/N Do you have a Criminal record Y/N The penny dropped about his visa and I remember thinking shit I really hope he is not a male hooker. Full disclosure eventually came when he went bust.Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 886 #9 February 21, 2011 I was under the impression based on news stories that the UK would NOT let you in with a criminal conviction, period. No Visa issued. No? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 607 #10 February 21, 2011 Quote I was under the impression based on news stories that the UK would NOT let you in with a criminal conviction, period. No Visa issued. No? Yes double standards You are allowed into the USA with a VISA if you have a criminal conviction. He is British.Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #11 February 21, 2011 Quote Yes double standards You are allowed into the USA with a VISA if you have a criminal conviction. He is British. Is a criminal record still required to get into Australia? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #12 February 21, 2011 Quote Quote Yes double standards You are allowed into the USA with a VISA if you have a criminal conviction. He is British. Is a criminal record still required to get into Australia? No, but it helps.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nataly 38 #13 February 21, 2011 Accountants look to the past to try and predict the future... Although climates/conditions/other variables make this practice obsolete on occasion, *usually* it's the best indicator for what is likely to happen. The same applies to people, I think. Ironically enough, I consistently give people a second chance, but for the life of me I don't know why... I can't think of a single occasion when I witnessed someone's "bad" behaviour/character actually change as promised... Then again, maybe I'm just not remembering anything right now... ETA: As long as you didn't spread malicious or false information on the guy, I think it's more professional/responsible to give your client a gentle heads-up as opposed to saying nothing... They can decide for themselves whether they give the guy a second chance or not. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hcsvader 1 #14 February 22, 2011 Quote Quote Quote Yes double standards You are allowed into the USA with a VISA if you have a criminal conviction. He is British. Is a criminal record still required to get into Australia? No, but it helps. They let me in Have you seen my pants? it"s a rough life, Livin' the dream >:) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
