The transactions appeared to have been designed to evade ordinary review.
And the employees who had questioned them had been discouraged, transferred, or dismissed.
Clara Bennett was not the only person affected.
She was simply the first person whose case had forced the matter into the open.
“Have we preserved the relevant records?” Ethan asked.
“Yes,” the chief compliance officer replied. “The audit team has secured copies of the payment histories, approval records, and available correspondence. Access has been restricted to authorized investigators.”
“Have the individuals involved been notified?”
“Not yet. Counsel advised us to coordinate the next steps carefully to avoid compromising the review.”
Ethan nodded.
“Proceed according to the evidence and the law. No shortcuts. I want the people responsible held accountable, but I don’t want an investigation that collapses because we rushed it.”
The room fell silent.
“Who is handling Ms. Bennett’s case?”
“The independent employment investigator,” the general counsel replied. “She has agreed to an interview. Her account will be reviewed alongside the financial records and the statements from other employees.”
