Weston Smith was once CFO of the Fortune 500 Company, HealthSouth Corporation. The company became a Wall Street darling, as within a dozen years of inception it grew from one location to more than 2,000 in all 50 states and five countries. However, underneath the glimmering corporate office, the fleet of corporate jets, and “consistent” earnings reports laid a multi-year, multi-billion dollar financial statement fraud. Ultimately, Smith voluntarily came forward and exposed the fraud, and accepted responsibility for his former actions.
Upon being released from prison, he dedicated himself to making his experience a life lesson for all. He is now passionate about guiding others in the fruits of living and working responsibly and the consequences of unethical conduct.
At the invitation of the Accounting Department and the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative at the David Eccles School of Business, Smith spoke to more than 185 students and faculty members about his experience, lessons learned and urge the audience to pursue an ethical life and career and do what is fair, just, and right.