Richard L Smalto

The Last Book of Cicero Richard L Smalto

Based on actual events, The Last Book of Cicero is the story of Richard Sutherland, Chief Executive of Power Control Systems, a hugely successful electrical equipment company with prestigious government and private sector contracts. Sutherland is a self-made man of integrity who regularly quotes philosophers, uses Shakespeare as a metaphor for business, and lives by the ideals of The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Yet all of his belief in fair play and the higher principles of life cannot prevent him from becoming embroiled in a battle against corruption and greed. Astute businessman that he is, Sutherland notices a minor accounting discrepancy in the company's books. He begins to suspect that someone is attempting to embezzle funds. Despite his best efforts, the company begins to lose lucrative contracts, is unable to pay suppliers, and racks up high bills by hiring new accountants and lawyers. To compound these problems, Sutherland is sued by his business partner and forced into bankruptcy despite serious doubts about the legitimacy of the company's defaulted loans. As a succession of lawyers and accountants mysteriously drop him as a client, Sutherland suspects that his troubles are not merely a question of one crooked employee or even gross negligence. Is the bank using his employees to influence his behavior? Is Power Control Systems the target of a takeover, or an even larger conspiracy? Could Sutherland's life be in danger because he knows too much? Most people would give up searching for the truth when faced with increasing debt, loss of one's business, and having to take menial jobs, but Sutherland's strength and character do not allow him to give up the path of the righteous. More than anything else, Sutherland becomes certain of one thing... bankruptcy court is a legitimate place to commit mayhem and a safe haven for fraud!