The lengths people will go to avoid being fined! Howard Richman, a former executive at Biopure Corp., has plead guilting to obstructing justice by pretending to have colon cancer. He even went as far as impersonating his doctor to his lawyers and a judge, claiming that he was undergoing chemotherapy.
Howard was originally being sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. While he was not facing any jail time, he was at risk of being fined a hefty sum for misleading investors. Now that it has come to light that he does not have cancer, Howard will most likely get up to 10 years for obstructing justice, if convicted. Considering he has plead guilty, it will probably be a lesser charge. He also has to pay a $150,000 fine to the SEC - yes, the same fine he was dodging in the first place.
It seems like we are hearing more and more of people faking cancer diagnoses for a lot of really lame reasons. Some may say they hope Howard actually gets cancer for his shameful behavior and lies, but I think justice is being served just fine. Jail time plus a whopping six-figure fine will hopefully teach this selfish man a lesson he won't likely forget. What do you think of people who fake having cancer? Are they criminals or need psychiatric help? Tell us your thoughts in the "Comments" section below.
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Howard was originally being sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. While he was not facing any jail time, he was at risk of being fined a hefty sum for misleading investors. Now that it has come to light that he does not have cancer, Howard will most likely get up to 10 years for obstructing justice, if convicted. Considering he has plead guilty, it will probably be a lesser charge. He also has to pay a $150,000 fine to the SEC - yes, the same fine he was dodging in the first place.
It seems like we are hearing more and more of people faking cancer diagnoses for a lot of really lame reasons. Some may say they hope Howard actually gets cancer for his shameful behavior and lies, but I think justice is being served just fine. Jail time plus a whopping six-figure fine will hopefully teach this selfish man a lesson he won't likely forget. What do you think of people who fake having cancer? Are they criminals or need psychiatric help? Tell us your thoughts in the "Comments" section below.
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