Playing by the Rules: Ethics at Work

Playing by the Rules: Ethics at Work By Episode

• The Whistleblower (#101)

  In 2011, Sherry Hunt was a vice president and chief underwriter at CitiMortgage in O'Fallon, Missouri. For years Hunt saw what she thought was fraud as the company issued, bought and sold mortgage loans on terms that did not meet company standards. After alerting senior management and being told to keep quiet, Hunt took a stand.

• Ask Why (#102)

  The name "Enron" remains synonymous with corporate greed. In late 2001, Enron went bankrupt after using a series of accounting schemes to exaggerate its bottom line. Few at Enron admitted they knew what was going on, yet these practices involved many, and didn't happen overnight. This episode explores the rise and fall of Enron, a company culture gone bad, and the story of one Enron employee brave enough to take her concerns straight to the top.

• The Run Coal Memos (#103)

  A look back at the Massey Energy company and its Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia. Massey was run by the hard-charging, larger than life CEO, Don Blankenship. Prosecutors say that his resistance to regulation and his constant emphasis on "running coal" led to the deadly April 5, 2010 mining disaster at Upper Big Branch. The prosecution would not only put Blankenship on trial, but the company's culture as well.

• Engine Trouble (#201)

  In the early 2000's, the German automaker Volkswagen set an ambitious goal - to become the world's largest car company. What was the key to its plan? Dramatically boost sales in the United States by developing a new, clean-burning diesel engine for cars sold in America. Instead, that effort would result in the biggest scandal in the history of the auto industry.

• The Bank Job (#202)

  Wells Fargo liked to think of itself as America's main street banker. Nearly all are familiar with its iconic red wagon and the catchy song which celebrates it. But behind that friendly image was a secret. In an effort to boost its bottom line & its reputation on Wall Street, Wells preyed on millions of ordinary customers - fraudulently opening accounts in their names, selling them unnecessary car insurance, and charging them fees for delays which were the bank's fault - actions which recently led to a fine of one billion dollars.

• Taking Advantage? (#203)

  Medicare Advantage, run by private insurance companies, is an alternative to traditional Medicare. Originally conceived as a way to rein in healthcare costs, the government now pays Medicare Advantage companies nearly $200 billion a year to cover some 19 million seniors. Yet, according to the federal government, nearly 10% of the payments to those private insurance companies are "improper." It's suspected many of those improper payments are the result of fraud. Now, several whistleblower lawsuits allege that some Medicare Advantage insurance companies are systematically bilking the government of billions, all part of their business model. Playing by the Rulesinvestigates the business practices which are said to be behind the alleged fraud.

• Driven (#301)

  Examine the rapid rise of Uber, the scandals which followed, and lessons on Silicon Valley culture. Assess if innovation and corporate accountability can co-exist in an industry where "moving fast and breaking things" is the norm.

• Pay to Play (#302)

  Explore a scandal that exposed an underground market for talented teen basketball players, funneling them to universities sponsored by sneaker giant Adidas. See how allegations of secret payoffs raise questions about leadership and oversight.

• Lessons Learned (#303)

  Take a look back at three years of reporting on contemporary corporate controversies including Uber, Wells Fargo and Volkswagen, investigating the common thread of failed business ethics.