The transfer of meaningfulness from leaders to followers as partners in crime: The case of a married lawyer and his accountant wife in embezzlement and money laundering

Abstract

This article examines how leaders exert influence on followers in the context of economic crime through a case study. The present case illustrates the conviction of a lawyer husband as a leader, sentenced to five years in prison for embezzlement, and his wife, the firm’s accountant, convicted of money laundering and facing a three-year sentence. The wife has chosen to appeal the verdict. This research explores the dark sides of visionary leadership and followership, delving into the interdependencies that extend beyond the workplace. Drawing on the meaning transfer model, it analyzes the contagious dynamics between the leader and follower, presenting novel convenience propositions on dyadic leadership influence. This article provides insights into the complex dynamics at play within the convenience triangle in economic crimes. It sheds light on the nuanced implications of the leader-follower relationship and draws attention to the gendered roles observed, where female offenders tend to assume follower positions, while male offenders frequently take on leadership roles in the realm of white-collar and corporate crime.