A role model in arrogance

The crimes of William Aramony, former president of United Way of America, were appalling enough. Compounding the stink is the arrogance he has continued to demonstrate. He is a man who deserves, and will probably get, imprisonment.

Aramony, United Way president for more than 20 years, was convicted in federal court this week of stealing nearly $600,000 from the charity, the nation's biggest. He was found guilty of not merely a single crime, but of a pattern of infamy: 25 counts of fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and other charges.

Money intended to ease the suffering of the needy was diverted to amusements designed to satisfy Aramony's apparently colossal vanity: lavish vacations, luxurious apartments and sexual adventures, including a romance with a teenager.

Far from acknowledging any wrongdoing, Aramony made the preposterous and even comical argument that he was the innocent victim of an atrophied brain and an inattentive board of directors.

There is probably some truth to the argument that United Way's board was lax in its oversight, because it has since revamped its administrative structure to strengthen its financial monitoring. But the board's failure to adequately supervise Aramony is not a defense of his behavior.

Fortunately, the scandal involved only Aramony and two of his former aides, and it did not involve United Way's independent local affiliates, including those in Wisconsin. Nevertheless, it is the blameless and the needy who continue to suffer. Donations to United Way dropped off dramatically when the scandal broke in 1991, and while they have slowly recovered, they have not reached the pre-scandal amounts.

Putting Aramony in prison will not put food in the mouths of the needy or clothes on their backs; but it will, however imperfectly, satisfy the demands of justice. And it may even teach Aramony a little humility.

Copyright 1995
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