I don't want to argue over the semantics of the word "embarrassed". Perhaps we can both agree that, whatever your (or their) personal feelings about the issue,

I don't want to argue over the semantics of the word "embarrassed". Perhaps we can both agree that, whatever your (or their) personal feelings about the issue, it has objectively resulted in a lot of negative press coverage. And that (even if only because of the negative coverage) powerful people are taking steps (like returning millions of dollars) to distance themselves from him. And finally that, whether it's the motive or not, swift prosecution is an effective way for officials to distance themselves. The rest is speculation, but not crazy.