I thought Elizabeth Holmes and Martha Stewart had been punished more harshly because they were women. When I looked at the sentencing research, it complicated what I thought.
What happens in a courtroom and what happens afterward are different questions. I follow both in this week's episode: Elizabeth Holmes, Martha Stewart & Second Chances.
I owned a mortgage company, and I now build private AI systems for businesses. In both worlds, I've asked people to believe in something before it was finished. That makes the line between selling a vision and saying something already works a question I have to ask about my own work.
These cases do not all involve the same conduct. Holmes was convicted on four investor-related counts, acquitted on four patient-related counts, and the jury did not reach verdicts on three other investor-related counts. Stewart's criminal convictions concerned conspiracy, obstruction and false statements. The SEC also brought a separate civil insider-trading case, which she settled. Those distinctions matter when we compare the stories.
I believe in second chances. I also want to know whether we draw the line in the same place for everyone. Hiring someone again, buying from them and trusting them with money are decisions we make after the courtroom part is over.
This week, take one person or business you're deciding whether to trust again. Write down what you would need to see before saying yes. Then ask whether you'd require the same thing from someone you liked more.
I'd like to know your answer. Hit reply and tell me one thing that would help you trust someone again. No names needed.
Michelle Vaughn
Sources: Holmes case record, Stewart civil settlement, federal sentencing research, financial-adviser employment research.
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