Problem:
As you and the guests arise from your tables, you are startled when your cellular phone begins vibrating with an incoming call. You excuse yourself and step into a quiet alcove in the hallway to take the call. You discover that your President/CEO has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance, soliciting prostitution, and resisting arrest. As you hang-up from the call, you feel a tug at your arm as the Senator's aid requests your immediate attendance at a private gathering of significant donors in the Senator's executive suite.
Assumptions:
The Company has no business continuity plan or process for dealing with ethical misconduct disasters
· The Company only has outside legal counsel
· Prior to this alleged event, the President/CEO has been a "straight arrow"
· The news media regularly follows and reports from the police blotter
· You are an experienced public affairs officer; this is not your "first rodeo"
Assume the role of the company's public relations officer and determine in detail what should be done to mitigate this ethical misconduct disaster.