After Midnight by Diana Palmer

Author:Diana Palmer
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 1993-06-27T16:00:00+00:00

“As far as the company goes, you haven’t got a legal leg to stand on,” Bob Wilson told him regretfully a few minutes later. “I’m sorry, but they’ve got ironclad evidence linking Lombard, Inc., with Burke’s and the illegal dumping site. The fact that you didn’t personally make the decision to hire him doesn’t negate the fact that you approved your subordinate’s hiring of him. The buck stops at you. The company is in violation of several environmental laws, federal, local and state, and it will be prosecuted for at least one felony count, probably more as the investigation continues and they find more of Burke’s handiwork. A fine is the least of your worries right now.”

“In other words, even if I was willing to prove that I was incapacitated at the time of the hiring, it wouldn’t lessen my responsibility in the eyes of the law.”

“That’s exactly right.” Wilson frowned. “Of course, Burke will be prosecuted along with you. He’s an accessory.”

“Good. I hope they hang him out to dry. His brother-in-law Jurkins is my new solid waste manager, but I didn’t know about any relationship between the two of them until this came up. How am I supposed to know things like that?” He glanced at Wilson. “Can I prosecute Jurkins for making that decision without my preliminary approval?”

“You did approve it,” Wilson said with forced patience. “Jurkins denies any wrongdoing. He said that he told you what he’d done and you said it was all right.”

“But, my God, I had no idea who Burke was or that CWC’s record had been misrepresented to me!”

“Jurkins swears that he can show you on paper what CWC did to discredit them. He also swears that he didn’t know Burke had been in any trouble, whether or not that’s true. You’re still culpable, regardless of that,” Wilson informed him. “I’m sorry. I can’t see any legal way out of this. You’ll have to plead guilty and hope that we can negotiate a reasonable settlement.”

“While that SOB gets away scot-free?”

“Which one?”

“Burke.”

“We’re investigating,” Wilson assured him.

“Could kickbacks be involved here?” he asked suddenly, staring at his legal counsel. “If they were, there’ll be proof, won’t there?” Kane persisted.

“Well…” He grimaced, sticking his hands deep in his pockets. “We can’t find any evidence that anyone who works for you has had any drastic change in lifestyles. We’re checking into employee backgrounds right now, though. If there is anything, we’ll turn it up.”

Kane leaned back against his desk. “You mean that this whole situation was innocently arrived at?” he asked.

“I can’t prove that it wasn’t at this point.”

“Suppose I fire Jurkins?”

“What for?” Wilson replied. “He’s done nothing except make a mistake in judgment, allegedly trying to save you money on operating expense. He’s full of apologies and explanations and excuses.”

“We could take the case to the newspapers. My father’s, in fact.”

“You aren’t thinking,” the other man said patiently. “Burke may be a scalawag, but he’s a working man with a family to support. If you

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