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I still don’t think it’s enough, but let’s be clear. They are facing criminal charges and jail time. See the DOJ press release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/j

I still don’t think it’s enough, but let’s be clear. They are facing criminal charges and jail time. See the DOJ press release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-resolution-criminal-and-civil-investigations-mckinsey-companys https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-... > Today’s resolution marks the first time a management consulting firm has been held criminally responsible for advice resulting in the commission of a crime by a client and reflects the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to hold actors accountable for their roles in the opioid crisis. The resolution is also the largest civil recovery for such conduct. > Additionally, a former McKinsey senior partner who worked on Purdue matters has been charged with obstruction of justice in federal court in Abingdon, Virginia. Martin E. Elling, 60, a U.S. citizen currently residing in Bangkok, Thailand, has been charged with one count of knowingly destroying records, documents and tangible objects with the intent to impede, obstruct and influence the investigation and proper administration of a matter within the jurisdiction of the Justice Department. Elling has agreed to plead guilty and is expected to appear in federal court in Abingdon to enter his plea and for sentencing at later dates. … > Elling faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000 for the obstruction of justice charge

ternnoburn 2y ago
They aren't facing prison for this, they are facing prison for trying to cover this up. That's a subtle but important difference.
genocidicbunny 2y ago
If you or I killed a half a million people, we wouldn't be facing 20 years in prison. We'd be lucky to not be facing a firing squad or a noose. All I ask is that the leadership of McKinsey be treated to that same standard. Let their golden parachutes be literal.
- duped 2y ago
  The only way to kill 500,000 people practically is to do it by the letter of the law. Murder (especially for money) doesn't scale without being a state or quasi state actor, or something on that tier.
  - black_puppydog 2y ago
    German speaking here. Last I checked, the Nuremberg trials weren't settled.
    - vkou 2y ago
      The Nuremberg trials were a slap on the wrist compared to what the collective perpetrators, beneficiaries, and active agents of the war and the associated genocide deserved. The broader cultural impact of them (and of the war guilt) imposed on Germany landed fairly well, though. Unfortunately, it is possible that it might have landed less well if the punishments actually fit the crimes. Observe and contrast it to Japan's take on its war guilt, and its less-than-enthusiastic attitude towards taking responsibility.
  - thr55 2y ago
    [flagged]
- tivert 2y ago
  > If you or I killed a half a million people, we wouldn't be facing 20 years in prison. We'd be lucky to not be facing a firing squad or a noose. Yeah, Martin Elling made 2 million in political donations over the years: https://www.businessinsider.com/mckinsey-company-oxycontin-democrats-biden-donor-martin-elling-purdue-pharma-2021-2 https://www.businessinsider.com/mckinsey-company-oxycontin-d... > During the past two decades, Elling has spread nearly $2 million among dozens of federal-level political committees, almost all Democratic. The political committees of President Joe Biden and dozens of US Senate and House candidates have benefited from Elling's contributions.
  - teamspirit 2y ago
    Until we get money out of politics, we’re fucked.
- maeil 2y ago
  Not sure mate, Covid did 6+ million.
newswasboring 2y ago
Lets talk when one of them actually goes to jail. These sham trials are dime a dozen.
wesselbindt 2y ago
The prosecution of Elling has the same vibe as that of Calley [1] after the vietnam war, and that of the small group of soldiers involved in the Mahmudiyah rape [2] during the second gulf war. Viewed in isolation, the atrocities committed by these men deserve punishment. But in the bigger picture, the function these trials serve is for the institution in charge to be able to say "see? We do hold ourselves accountable" even though the vast majority of war crimes went uninvestigated and unpunished. More heads, and more important heads, should roll. Not just that of one fall guy. Tens of thousands of deaths every year, and even more lives ruined. But we all know what side the US government is on, so I'm not holding my breath. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Calley https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Calley [2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmudiyah_rape_and_killings https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmudiyah_rape_and_killings

ternnoburn 2y ago

They aren't facing prison for this, they are facing prison for trying to cover this up. That's a subtle but important difference.

genocidicbunny 2y ago

If you or I killed a half a million people, we wouldn't be facing 20 years in prison. We'd be lucky to not be facing a firing squad or a noose. All I ask is that the leadership of McKinsey be treated to that same standard. Let their golden parachutes be literal.

duped 2y ago
The only way to kill 500,000 people practically is to do it by the letter of the law. Murder (especially for money) doesn't scale without being a state or quasi state actor, or something on that tier.
- black_puppydog 2y ago
  German speaking here. Last I checked, the Nuremberg trials weren't settled.
  - vkou 2y ago
    The Nuremberg trials were a slap on the wrist compared to what the collective perpetrators, beneficiaries, and active agents of the war and the associated genocide deserved. The broader cultural impact of them (and of the war guilt) imposed on Germany landed fairly well, though. Unfortunately, it is possible that it might have landed less well if the punishments actually fit the crimes. Observe and contrast it to Japan's take on its war guilt, and its less-than-enthusiastic attitude towards taking responsibility.
- thr55 2y ago
  [flagged]
tivert 2y ago
> If you or I killed a half a million people, we wouldn't be facing 20 years in prison. We'd be lucky to not be facing a firing squad or a noose. Yeah, Martin Elling made 2 million in political donations over the years: https://www.businessinsider.com/mckinsey-company-oxycontin-democrats-biden-donor-martin-elling-purdue-pharma-2021-2 https://www.businessinsider.com/mckinsey-company-oxycontin-d... > During the past two decades, Elling has spread nearly $2 million among dozens of federal-level political committees, almost all Democratic. The political committees of President Joe Biden and dozens of US Senate and House candidates have benefited from Elling's contributions.
- teamspirit 2y ago
  Until we get money out of politics, we’re fucked.
maeil 2y ago
Not sure mate, Covid did 6+ million.

newswasboring 2y ago

Lets talk when one of them actually goes to jail. These sham trials are dime a dozen.

wesselbindt 2y ago

The prosecution of Elling has the same vibe as that of Calley [1] after the vietnam war, and that of the small group of soldiers involved in the Mahmudiyah rape [2] during the second gulf war. Viewed in isolation, the atrocities committed by these men deserve punishment. But in the bigger picture, the function these trials serve is for the institution in charge to be able to say "see? We do hold ourselves accountable" even though the vast majority of war crimes went uninvestigated and unpunished. More heads, and more important heads, should roll. Not just that of one fall guy. Tens of thousands of deaths every year, and even more lives ruined. But we all know what side the US government is on, so I'm not holding my breath. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Calley https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Calley [2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmudiyah_rape_and_killings https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmudiyah_rape_and_killings