Sentenced to Write

The New York Times reported on a former pharmaceutical executive receiving punishment for making false statements to the federal government about resolving a patent dispute. Dr. Andrew Bodnar, an ex-vice president at drug company Bristol-Myers, pleaded guilty to charges from the Justice Department that he misled the government in an inquiry into anti-competitive behavior surrounding the firm's blood-thinning drug Plavix. Making false statements to the government carries the charge of misdemeanor.

Judge Ricardo Urbina of D.C.'s District Court handed down the punishment. Fines? Check. Bodnar must pay $5,000. Probation? Check. Two years' worth, to be exact. Community service? Sort of: Judge Urbina ordered Dr. Bodnar, as part of the punishment, to write a book about his experience. The judge's goal is to warn other execs against pursuing similar misdeeds.

A punishment that also teaches others a lesson? To this sentence, we say, write on!