W. Michael Hoffman Center for Business Ethics at Bentley University

06/05/2026

The article explains how Air Canada’s CEO resigned after backlash for giving a post-crash statement mostly in English in a bilingual country, which many people viewed as insensitive. The criticism led to public frustration, political pressure, and showed that effective leadership during a crisis requires awareness, respect, and accountability.

Link: bit.ly/3R3UWxR

Michael Rousseau’s mostly English statement after a fatal runway collision drew sharp criticism. The airline said it would emphasize French fluency in its search for a successor.

06/01/2026

A U.S. soldier, Gannon Ken Van D**e, was charged with using classified information about a mission to capture Nicolás Maduro to place bets on Polymarket and made over $400,000. Authorities say he used insider knowledge from the operation to profit illegally and now faces multiple fraud charges. This raises ethical concerns about abusing confidential information for personal gain.

Link: bit.ly/4cBz31f

The special forces soldier allegedly made more than $400,000 on Polymarket as a result of the bets, prosecutors say.

05/29/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 W. Michael Hoffman Scholarship in Business Ethics winners, Kendall Jason (Graduate) with their paper Pills, Profits, and Patients: The Ethical Cost of GLP-1 Prescriptions for Weight Loss and Hanna Angel (Undergraduate) with their paper Designed to Deceive: An Ethical Analysis of Human–AI Relationships!

The scholarship was established in honor of the Hoffman Center’s founder and executive director, W. Michael Hoffman. Two scholarships are awarded annually to a Bentley undergraduate and graduate student who are judged to have written the best papers on business ethics.

Link: bit.ly/4fjLyjG

05/29/2026

Kalshi fined and suspended three political candidates for trading on their own election outcomes, calling it “political insider trading” and a violation of exchange rules. The cases highlight concerns about market manipulation and the need for stronger oversight in prediction markets.

Link: bit.ly/3QtweGQ

The fines ranged from $539 to more than $6,200, and the suspensions are set to last five years.

05/25/2026

Tiffany & Co. improved its mining practices by partnering with environmental groups and establishing global standards for responsible sourcing. By opposing harmful projects and increasing transparency, the company demonstrated how businesses can use their influence to protect the environment and workers. Ultimately, these ethical actions show that prioritizing sustainability can build lasting consumer trust.

Link: bit.ly/4tEsy3q

An inside look at how one of the world's most iconic jewelry companies helped unite industry and environmentalists to improve mining

05/22/2026

Purdue Pharma will pay $225 million as part of a larger opioid settlement, while the Sackler family contributes billions and avoids individual criminal charges. Many victims believe the deal does not fully deliver justice. This case shows how prioritizing profit over public safety can lead to long-term reputational and legal consequences.

Link: bit.ly/48Kh46k

A judge is expected to sentence OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to forfeit $225 million to the U.S. government

05/18/2026

Amazon is offering $1,000 prizes to delivery drivers for sharing positive work stories, raising questions about how companies influence public perception. While the campaign highlights the benefits of the role, true ethical practice requires that workplace conditions actually match the promoted image rather than being shaped by financial incentives.

Link: lat.ms/3PPv34n

Amazon.com Inc., the world’s largest e-commerce company, is offering $1,000 prizes for delivery drivers who share stories about why they love their jobs.

05/15/2026

This week the Hoffman Center for Business Ethics hosted the 21st Annual Global Business Ethics Teaching Workshop which brought together professors from around the world to learn innovative approaches to teaching business ethics, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and corporate citizenship. The workshop, facilitated by Bentley professors Jeff Moriarty (Philosophy) and Jill Brown (Management), continues a long-standing commitment to helping educators integrate ethics into business education and prepare students for ethical leadership in today’s global workforce.

Link: bit.ly/4fhUk1x

05/15/2026

A jury found that Meta and YouTube were negligent for designing addictive platform features that harmed a young user’s mental health, awarding about $6 million in damages and potentially opening the door to more lawsuits. This case highlights how companies prioritizing profit and user engagement over user well-being can lead to serious harm and increased accountability.

Link: nyti.ms/48yFMXc

A jury found the companies harmed a young user with design features that were addictive and led to her mental health distress.

05/11/2026

Since being acquired by a larger corporation, Ben & Jerry’s has faced conflict over its board's independence. While the board was designed to protect the company's social mission and activism, new leadership has reportedly restricted its autonomy. This situation underscores the tension between original founding values and corporate profit-seeking, questioning whether a mission-driven brand can maintain its identity under new ownership.

Link: bit.ly/4mo5js4

“The most powerful tool a business has is its voice,” writes the co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s.