This is going to be my last word on the topic, because as you say my original comment is being painted into going to bat for MS, which hasn't been my intention.

This is going to be my last word on the topic, because as you say my original comment is being painted into going to bat for MS, which hasn't been my intention. I've read the Verge article, the whistleblower's original words, and looked at the PWC slides. I understand the numbers involved. You ask me why I think MS looked the other way. I don't know. This article is already speculating enough, and my comment was to call that out. I've already put more effort into clarifying myself than my investment into the issue should really dictate. As you say, this is down to corruption or stupidity, and as Hanlon's razor goes, "never blame on malice what can be explained by stupidity." I look forward to the SEC investigating the whistleblower's accusations. Whether there's bribery or not, it's worth looking into. I don't think there's enough to convict anyone on based on what's offered here. I hope to be reading more detail on what exactly has been happening here at some point. However, I do see a world where this was stupidity. It happens quite often.