CEBC IN THE NEWS

University of St. Thomas 

White-Collar Crime Prosecutor
to Share Time with Ethics Center

Published Monday, August 23, 2004 in the University of St. Thomas Bulletin Today.

Assistant U. S. Attorney Hank Shea will become an executive fellow at the University of St. Thomas-based Center for Ethical Business Cultures (CEBC), splitting his time with the U. S. Attorney’s Office.

Shea, based in the Twin Cities, has spent the past 10 years prosecuting high profile cases of white-collar crime, including corporate fraud, environmental offenses and securities violations. He begins his new volunteer, part-time position, which will last for eight months, on Sept. 1.

According to U. S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger, “Hank has the full support of the U. S. Attorney’s Office. Part of the mission of this office is to enhance corporate ethics and fight corporate fraud. This shared arrangement will provide an opportunity for Hank to transfer to the boardroom what he has learned in the courtroom.”

Ron James, CEBC’s president and CEO, welcomed Shea’s contributions to the center. “Hank’s experience as a prosecutor of white-collar crime will complement CEBC’s efforts to promote the benefits of creating an ethical culture, illuminating the high costs of failing to do so,” he said.

Shea will work with CEBC on ethics education programs for audiences that range from business professionals to high school students. As Shea notes, “We’ve seen the devastating effects of white-collar crime on employees, families, customers, investors and businesses. This is an exciting opportunity to work on education aimed at prevention, not just intervention.”

As an assistant U. S. attorney, Shea previously has worked with St. Thomas ’ College of Business and School of Law and CEBC to develop two symposia on white-collar crime. The first, held in 2003, focused on white-collar crime and personal responsibility and was named by Twin Cities Business Monthly as the year’s best business event. The second, held in 2004, focused on white-collar crime and organizational responsibility and featured U.S. Deputy Attorney General James Comey.

“Hank’s recent work enlightening current and future business professionals about today’s front line of business ethics, including the legal consequences that arise when they are violated, has been exceptional,” said Dr. Christopher Puto, dean of the College of Business. “His presence on campus will underscore St. Thomas ’ longstanding commitment to the highest ethical standards as critical for business success. The entire Twin Cities community will benefit from his ongoing involvement with CEBC and his ability to translate punitive insights into preventative lessons.”

Through its Executive Fellows program, CEBC marshals the experience of senior leaders in its work of assisting business leaders in creating ethical and profitable business cultures at the enterprise, community and global levels. Shea joins James Mitchell, former chairman and CEO of IDS Life Insurance, who also serves the center as an executive business fellow.

In addition to his work in the U. S. Attorney’s Office, Shea has served as assistant to the Army’s General Counsel in Washington, D.C., and as an attorney in private practice with the Minneapolis law firm of Leonard, Street and Deinard focusing on commercial litigation.

Shea completed his undergraduate studies summa cum laude at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and his law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School. He chairs the board of directors for Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School.

CEBC recently announced the formation of a new, permanent joint venture with St. Thomas.

© Copyright 2004 University of St. Thomas Bulletin. All rights reserved.

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