By Merrie Spaeth, KERA 90.1 commentator
Dallas, TX – What does Citibank have in common with Anna Nicole Smith? This is Marketplace Midday. Maxine Shapiro is off, and it's time for a Friday "They Said It." Best comments of the week - and what they reveal.
Anna Nicole Smith - she who said, "I did not marry my husband for his money," is annoyed that she can't take off her clothes on her reality TV show. She tells us, "I don't mind being nude." And, it would draw more viewers that way.
Meanwhile, in the continuing Citibank saga with its famous analyst, Jack Grubman, another email has come to light where Mr. Grubman tells a friend that Citibank chairman Sandy Weill helped him get his twin daughters into an exclusive nursery school after he stopped criticizing AT&T stock and recommended it. The email has caused an uproar as one more piece of evidence of how Citibank brass leaned on analysts to recommend certain stocks - no matter what the analysts really thought.
Mr. Weill responded to the uproar in a statement saying he never "told" Grubman what to write and never would, he only "suggested" he take a "fresh look" at the stock. Mr. Grubman now denies he meant what the email said. Here. We're getting a peek at the wink-and-blink method of communication, which has so corrupted business and caused such an erosion of trust. Bad enough the Citibank chairman would do this, but then to repeat the less-than-credible claim it was just a "suggestion." Does this sound as if he has any respect for you and me?
Back to Anna Nicole. She wants to get naked, saying, "I don't think I'm being exploited at all, but if I am, so what? At least I'm being paid for it!"
Mr. Grubman was also willing to be exploited - and paid for it - but he doesn't like it when the lies are laid bare. I'm beginning to value Anna Nicole's honesty. Anybody have the SEC's number?
For Marketplace Midday, I'm Merrie Spaeth.