Madam, - Compare the treatment meted out to the disgraced money-broker Tony Taylor with that planned for the disgraced AIB staff involved in the overcharging scam.
Tony Taylor's company, Taylor Asset Management, went bankrupt in 1996 and his clients lost a couple of million. He lost everything - his job, home, car, company - and became a fugitive on the run in England. He faced court, pleaded guilty to fraud and was sentenced to five years. He served just under four years.
Contrast Taylor's treatment with that proposed for the staff at Allied Irish Banks, who over a number of years systematically cheated their clients to the tune of about €30 million. Those who worked the scam or knew about it covered it up and did nothing - are they to face what Taylor faced? Are they to lose their jobs? Will their homes be sold, as Taylor's was? Will they be charged with fraud and corruption? Will they do time in prison? Not on your life. According to AIB, the staff members are to be "disciplined".
Imagine the scene at Bankcentre, as each guilty staff member is frog-marched to the boardroom. As each enters, the stone-faced chairman addresses him or her: you have let this fine money-making business down badly, you got caught. Having considered the amount of damage done (lost no accounts, share price up, profits up 10 per cent, no fines etc.), I sentence you to forgo for a period of six whole months the use of the subsidised staff carpark and canteen and your invitation to this year's Christmas party is cancelled. Now go and don't get caught again. Next!
Enough said? - Yours, etc.,
ANTHONY MacGABHANN, Pemberton, Herbert Road, Bray, Co Wicklow.