Princess Cruise Lines Is The Latest Corporate Criminal

Princess Cruise Lines has been hit with a $40 million fine and seven felony convictions for deliberately polluting the waters off of England and attempting to cover up the crime. The company was convicted of dumping oily waste into the ocean in 2013 but further investigation showed that the practice had been going on since 2005. The practice only came to light because a whistleblower came forward. Engineers on board the cruise line installed a “magic pipe” that allowed untreated bilge water to bypass the ship’s bilge water treatment system and flow directly into the ocean. When the whistleblower came forward with the allegations that this was occurring, the engineers ordered the “magic pipe” be removed and then ordered the crew to lie about its existence. Needless to say, the management of the cruise line blamed the “inexcusable actions of our employees who violated our policies and environmental law”, rather than take any responsibility themselves.

The US Attorney who prosecuted the case said, “Today’s case should send a powerful message to other companies that the U.S. government will continue to enforce a zero tolerance policy for deliberate ocean dumping that endangers the countless animals, marine life and humans who rely on clean water to survive”. The reality is more likely that companies will know even engaging in felonies that occurred continually for eight years and then lying about it will only get them a slap on the wrist. Carnival Cruise Lines, the parent company of Princess Cruise Lines, made over $1.7 billion last year. The $40 million fine, therefore, amounts to a little over 2% of profits for just one year. I’d like to see any individual get away with paying a measly little fine like that for seven felony convictions. As I keep on repeating, until corporate executives spend some real time in jail, corporate crime like this will continue as companies look at these pathetic fines as simply the cost of doing business.