Question

Arthur Baxter, a manager in records retention for SWC Company, has ordered seven laptop computers for his department, even though he only has five employees. In addition to each laptop, he ordered extra copies of several software programs. When the equipment arrives, Baxter sends one of the extra laptops to his son who is a freshman at Eastern University and sells three of the original software packages to friends. What offenses could Baxter be charged with and why?

Answer 1

Arthur Baxter has violated the moral code of conduct by utilizing the company's assets for personal use. He could be charged with the following offenses :

Larceny:

Baxter has ordered laptops and then sent one of them to his son and the extra software packages to his friends. He has taken away the company's property with no intention of returning it. Thus, he can be charged with larceny.

Embezzlement:

​​Embezzlement is the act of withholding acts till the time they can be converted or stolen. Since the company only has 5 employees, and he has ordered 7 laptops one of which he has sent to his son, there is still a surplus of one laptop and several software packages which Baxter clearly intends to convert for personal use.

Conversion:

​​Fraudulent conversion occurs when a company's property is fraudulently used for one's own use. Since Baxter has given the laptops and software packages to his son and his friends, he can be charged with conversion.