[statecom-discuss] Re: The Great Boston Art Panic

[Mike Heichman]

FYI from Mike Heichman
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> Jailing the Artists, Not the Executives
> By Corporate Crime Reporter
>
> Now that two young artists have been charged with felonies by state 
> prosecutors in Massachusetts for placing 38 cartoon devices to promote 
> the Cartoon Network's show "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" around 
> Boston--devices that caused a city-wide panic--the question 
> becomes--why were the artists charged and not the companies?
>
> The artists were charged with placing a hoax device--a felony--and 
> disorderly conduct.
>
> But the artists were working for some very big companies.
>
> So, why isn't Time Warner facing felony charges?
>
> Why isn't Turner Broadcasting?
>
> The Cartoon Network?
>
> The marketing company--Interference Inc.?
>
> Why not the CEOs of these companies?
>
> Why were the artists charged and not the companies?
>
> And not the company executives?
>
> Boston Mayor Tom Menino said it was all about "corporate greed."
>
> "It is outrageous, in a post 9/11 world, that a company would use this 
> type of marketing scheme," Menino said. "I am prepared to take any and 
> all legal action against Turner Broadcasting and its affiliates for 
> any and all expenses incurred during the response to today's incidents."
>
> Except for criminal prosecution.
>
> That's reserved for artists.
>
> Why charge the young artists with crimes?
>
> They had no previous criminal records.
>
> And now they have a record.
>
> But the companies don't.
>
> And the executives don't.
>
> Why not charge the companies with felonies?
>
> Because the companies carry the big sticks.
>
> And big checkbooks.
>
> And big law firms.
>
> Because it's a lot easier shield the political heat by charging a 
> couple of kids with felonies than some of the nation's largest 
> corporations.
>
> To show that you are doing "something."
>
> Because the new Attorney General of Massachusetts--Martha Coakley--has 
> previously expressed her doubts about the effectiveness of pursuing 
> corporate crime--including in the death of a woman crushed in the Big 
> Dig tunnel collapse. (See "Mass AG Says Criminal Probe Difficult in 
> Big Dig Tunnel Death Case," 21 Corporate Crime Reporter 1(3), January 
> 1, 2007), print edition only.)
>
> Coakley's spokesperson says "she's not doing interviews at this time."
>
> If not now, when?
>
> Will the companies be criminally charged in this case?
>
> No they will not.
>
> They may end up writing a big check to the city.
>
> But their executives will not appear before a judge--as the two young 
> artists did this morning.
>
> They will not face criminal charges.
>
> As the two kids did this morning.
>
> They will remain above the fray.
>
> Issuing apologies.
>
> "We apologize to the citizens of Boston that part of a marketing 
> campaign was mistaken for a public danger," said Turner Broadcasting 
> System, Inc. Chairman and CEO Phil Kent.
>
> Offering to write the big checks.
>
> Even writing big checks.
>
> Water off a duck's back.
>
> But no shaming ritual.
>
> No humiliating felony charge.
>
> To reverse this travesty, the choice the Attorney General faces is 
> simple.
>
> Either drop the charges against the artists.
>
> Or charge the companies involved and their executives.
>
> Let us know when you start doing interviews.
>
> Corporate Crime Reporter is located in Washington, DC. They can be 
> reached through their website.
>
>
>