Ethics Scenario #19: Drink Responsibly Education Council

19. Rebecca is the executive director of the Drink Responsibly Education Council, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate students about the dangers of binge drinking. One of her staff members, Linda, asks to meet with her, and tells her that she was recently arrested and charged with DUI. However, she says that it was her boyfriend who was actually driving the car erratically, and during the police chase, she agreed to change seats with him and take the fall because her boyfriend already had two DUI charges pending against him. Rebecca is astonished by this information, but agrees not to fire Linda. However, as a friend, she encourages Linda to tell the police the truth.

a. Is Rebecca acting ethically?

b. Is Linda acting ethically?

c. Does Rebecca have any obligation, legal or ethically, to let the police know the story Linda told her about the arrest?