布隆伯格收購(gòu)FT的利益沖突
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????周末有報(bào)道稱，彭博資訊（Bloomberg LP）正在考慮收購(gòu)金融時(shí)報(bào)集團(tuán)（Financial Times Group），包括其旗下的《金融時(shí)報(bào)》（FT），以及其持有的《經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)人》雜志（The Economist）的大筆股份。實(shí)際上，報(bào)道中并沒(méi)有明確提到彭博資訊，而是一直在說(shuō)其實(shí)際所有人，即現(xiàn)任紐約市市長(zhǎng)邁克爾?布隆伯格。他在十月份參觀了FT的倫敦總部，并有意參與此項(xiàng)重要決策。 ????筆者不由得疑惑，如果布隆伯格市長(zhǎng)參與彭博資訊的業(yè)務(wù)，必須要遵守哪些規(guī)定。他在就任紐約市長(zhǎng)期間，為了避嫌，已經(jīng)放棄了參與公司的日常運(yùn)營(yíng)，但依然保留了對(duì)公司的所有權(quán)。因此，他不得不向紐約市利益沖突委員會(huì)（Conflicts of Interests Board）征求意見(jiàn)。 ????以下是利益沖突委員會(huì)給出的相關(guān)建議： ????“我們進(jìn)一步建議布隆伯格先生，凡是發(fā)生在紐約市、任何涉及、或正在接洽涉及彭博資訊，而且可能對(duì)其所有權(quán)利益造成重大影響的的業(yè)務(wù)（如大規(guī)模收購(gòu)、出售或借款），布隆伯格先生在實(shí)際參與之前應(yīng)該對(duì)確定相關(guān)業(yè)務(wù)的范圍以及就此向委員會(huì)咨詢獲得進(jìn)一步指導(dǎo)的必要性保持敏感?！?/p> ????換言之，如果布隆伯格想要積極參與對(duì)《金融時(shí)報(bào)》的盡職調(diào)查，必須征求利益沖突委員會(huì)的意見(jiàn)。雖然筆者并不認(rèn)為這家報(bào)紙與紐約市有任何重大業(yè)務(wù)關(guān)系，但FT在紐約市肯定存在一些業(yè)務(wù)。例如，F(xiàn)T肯定還設(shè)有街邊的報(bào)刊箱，它在紐約肯定還有廣告業(yè)務(wù)（紐約市的自主閱覽廣告等），還有這家報(bào)紙?jiān)诩~約的采訪活動(dòng)。 ????關(guān)鍵在于：布隆伯格是否向委員會(huì)征求意見(jiàn)將被嚴(yán)格保密。所以，我們無(wú)從知曉他是否會(huì)遵從委員會(huì)的意見(jiàn)。當(dāng)然，除非交易發(fā)生后，委員會(huì)收到投訴，然后發(fā)現(xiàn)他違反了利益沖突規(guī)定?；蛘撸悸〔褡约和嘎读藚⑴c公司業(yè)務(wù)的請(qǐng)求。為此，我曾致電布隆伯格的新聞辦公室，但到目前為止，對(duì)方仍然拒絕發(fā)表評(píng)論。 ????我能理解對(duì)此事保密的理由，因?yàn)檫@樣可以鼓勵(lì)可能存在利益沖突的公共官員向委員會(huì)征求意見(jiàn)。但這也是像邁克爾?布隆伯格這些人，擔(dān)任較高選舉職務(wù)時(shí)應(yīng)該撤出其在公司的股份，或者辭職的另外一個(gè)原因。想象一下如果羅姆尼仍參與貝恩資本（Bain）的決策，會(huì)引發(fā)怎樣的混亂？ ????對(duì)了，F(xiàn)T的東家培生出版集團(tuán)（Pearson PLC）仍堅(jiān)稱，它沒(méi)有出售這款橙色報(bào)紙的打算?？墒牵坪鯖](méi)有人相信他們的話。 ????譯者：劉進(jìn)龍/汪皓 |
????There was a weekend report that Bloomberg LP is thinking about making an offer for the Financial Times Group, which includes both the FT and a sizable stake in The Economist. ????Actually, the story never explicitly refers to Bloomberg LP. Instead, it keeps talking about the company's namesake, current New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Seems he visited FT's London headquarters back in October, and would be involved in any decision of this magnitude. ????So it got me to wondering about the rules that Mayor Bloomberg must follow, when it comes to participating in Bloomberg LP business. He recused himself from day-to-day operations upon taking office, but retained his ownership stake -- thus prompting him to seek an opinion from the NYC Conflicts of Interests Board. ????Here was the relevant part: ????"Mr. Bloomberg is further advised to be sensitive to the need to ascertain the extent of any City business dealings involving entities engaged in, or negotiating to become engaged in, Bloomberg L.P. matters that may significantly affect the value of his ownership interest (e.g., major purchases, sales, or borrowings) and to consult the Board for further guidance before becoming involved in such Bloomberg L.P. matters." ????In other words, Bloomberg should consult the Conflicts of Interest Board if he's actively involved in FT due diligence. I don't imagine the newspaper has any major business with the City, but there could be some. For example, I'm pretty sure the FT still has some sidewalk boxes, there could be advertising relationships (City taking out ads, etc.) and the paper's journalistic activities (read: access) ????But here's the catch: Whether or not Bloomberg actually consults the board is confidential. So there is no way to know if he's following the opinion – unless, of course, a deal occurs, the board later receives a complaint and later finds him in violation. Or if Bloomberg himself were to divulge the request. So I called up his press office, but it so far has declined to comment. ????I understand the reason for such confidentiality, since it helps encourage potentially-conflicted public officials to seek advice. But it's yet another reason why folks like Michael Bloomberg probably should divest/resign/etc. when reaching high elective office (not just promising to do so later). Just imagine the uproar if Romney had still been involved in Bain decision-making... ????For the record, FT owner Pearson PLC continues to insist that it isn't seeking to sell the salmon-tinged newspaper. And, also for the record, almost nobody seems to believe them. |
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