Corporate scandal – How could a respectful and clever executive get into this?

Click on the link to listen to the dialogue “Corporate scandal” and then do the activities below.

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Dialogue comprehension – True, False or I don´t know?

Ronald is not at all interested in the recent corporate scandal. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___
Dylan often has lunch at Joe´s Diner. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ____
According to Nick the scandal has not been completely unveiled yet. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___
The financial director involved in the scandal had always had an impeccable reputation. True ___ False ___ I don´t know ___

Focus on words & expressions – Find words or expressions in the dialogue that mean the same as:

Very great or strong: _______________________________
Small part of a problem that is really much larger: _________________________
Theft of funds placed in one´s trust: __________________________
Coming directly from the original source: __________________________
Secret information about an organization: __________________________________
What´s going on?; what´s the matter?: _______________________________
Be officially accused of committing a crime: _____________________________
Plan and organize a complex operation, often a crime: _____________________
Meet or find someone by chance: ______________________________
Illegal or dishonest behavior: ____________________________
Information that is discovered as a result of investigation: ___________________
Be accused of: ________________________________
Criminals; thieves: _____________________________

Match the words and expressions below to the definitions.

TAX HAVEN SUE LOAN SHARK LAWSUIT

LAUNDER SWINDLE TRIAL SCAM

Obtain money dishonestly from a person or a company. _______
A fraudulent business scheme, a dishonest plan for making money. _______
Take legal action against a person or organization; file a lawsuit against. _______
Hearing and judgment of a matter in a court of law. _______
A country, state or independent region where taxes are low. _______
Convert illegally obtained funds into legal ones. _______
Someone who lends money at excessive rates of interest. _______
A legal proceeding in a court of law involving a claim, complaint, etc. ______

Use the business vocabulary and expressions in the box to fill in the gaps in the sentences below:

SCAM LOAN SHARK TRIAL SWINDLE

LAUNDER SUE TAX HAVEN LAWSUIT

“Do you think they might file a ____________ against us?” , Roger asked his partner.
Switzerland is one of the most popular ___________. The tax rates there are low and the country has highly reputable banks.
“That politician you told me about seems to be involved in a lot of shady deals. I read in the paper that he´s been recently accused of money __________.”, George told a friend.
“I know a guy who got into a lot of trouble when he borrowed money from a ___________. If I were you I´d really avoid doing it.”, Ralph advised Jake.
“The two directors were found to be involved in the scam. It seems that they ___________ the company out of $ 200,000.”, Joe told a coworker.
The lawyer warned Jim that if he went ahead with the accusations they might ___________ him for damages.
The ex-CFO of the company is scheduled to stand _____________ for fraud next month.
“It seems that the crooks made loads of money with the insurance __________.”, Fred told a friend.

Listen & Write & Answer – Write the questions you listen to and then choose the right answer.

_________________________________________________?

a) He´ll have plenty of time to rest in jail now.
b) That´s what crooks and scumbags usually do.
c) Seriously? That guy should be behind bars.
d) He stole taxpayer money. That´s why he´s in jail now.

_________________________________________________?

a) He´s been accused of embezzlement.
b) That´s a good question. I don´t think he has so many friends now.
c) I think he´s up to no good.
d) He made loads of money with that scam.

_________________________________________________?

a) Not yet.
b) It´s been a complex trial.
c) The plaintiff did.
d) Yes, one of the witnesses had done it.

_________________________________________________?

a) They could certainly do that.
b) That´s how they plan to raise funds.
c) They plan to raise money for the project through crowdfunding.
d) They´re going to make a killing with their new app.

Dialogue Script: Corporate scandal

Dylan: Hey Ron, do you have a minute?
Ronald: Sure, what´s up?
Dylan: I have some first-hand news about the recent corporate scandal.
Ronald: Do you? Have you been talking to someone?
Dylan: Yeah, I ran into Nick at Joe´s Diner, and you know, he has some inside information about what´s been going on lately. It seems that the recent findings are just the tip of the iceberg.
Ronald: Really? Wow, I still find it hard to believe that their financial director would do something like that.
Dylan: I know, he´d always been considered above suspicion, uh?
Ronald: That´s right. How could a respectful and clever executive get into this?
Dylan: Clever, uh? Maybe too clever! Not only did he steal money from the company, but also masterminded one of the biggest corruption scandals that´s ever been heard of.
Ronald: So, what else did Nick tell you?
Dylan: Nick thinks that he´ll definitely face charges.
Ronald: Do you think he might be charged with embezzlement?
Dylan: I think that´s likely to happen. You see, the evidence is pretty overwhelming.
Ronald: Has he said anything in his defense yet?
Dylan: Yeah, he´s denied any wrongdoing so far, but that´s what all the crooks say right?
Ronald: Wow, seems like you can´t trust anyone anymore.
Dylan: That´s right!