Bernard J. Ebbers, chief executive officer and founder of the telecommunications giant, WorldCom, owed the corporation $375 million for a loan secured by shares he owned in the company. The value of the company's stock was declining, to the point that the value of its shares was less than the amount of the loan. On February 2, 2002, Mr. Ebbers engaged in a series of communications with leading Wall Street stock analysts, whose opinion helped drive up the stock price, to refute negative news about the company's financial condition. , which was frightening investors. That day, the company's shares increased by 12% in value. Four months later, the company filed for bankruptcy due to its financial condition.

1. Answer the following questions:

• Are the actions mentioned above illegal? Are they antithetical? Support and explain your answer.
• What is the difference between an illegal action and an unethical one? Support and explain your answer.

Read and analyze the following situation.

Bernard J. Ebbers, chief executive officer and founder of the telecommunications giant, WorldCom, owed the corporation $375 million for a loan secured by shares he owned in the company. The value of the company's stock was declining, to the point that the value of its shares was less than the amount of the loan. On February 2, 2002, Mr. Ebbers engaged in a series of communications with leading Wall Street stock analysts, whose opinions helped drive up the stock price, to refute negative news about the company's financial condition. , which was frightening investors. That day, the company's shares increased by 12% in value. Four months later, the company filed for bankruptcy protection due to its precarious economic condition.

Answer the following questions:

Are the actions mentioned above illegal? Are they unethical? Support and explain your answer.

What is the difference between an illegal action and an unethical one? Support and explain your answer.