I think you missed my point: the OP had linked to an accusation by an employer that Mr. Karpeles had been using IM software while claiming to be working.
If such an innocuous "lie" was any evidence that someone could commit fraud, then we are in big trouble. Because that sort of lie isn't merely rare, ~everyone does so at some point.
They don't necessarily do it to be deceitful, rather because it's easier than the alternative. I don't think it has any moral or ethical quality to it. For instance, say I was having trouble with my girlfriend and couldn't concentrate at work. So I instead was diddle-dallying around and browsing HN.
I don't have the time or desire to explain to my boss the personal reasons why I was on HN, so instead I might say I was "refactoring" or doing code review. The next day, I'm fine and work extra hard to compensate .. no harm, no foul. I think most people would find that to be a reasonable "white lie".
If such an innocuous "lie" was any evidence that someone could commit fraud, then we are in big trouble. Because that sort of lie isn't merely rare, ~everyone does so at some point.
They don't necessarily do it to be deceitful, rather because it's easier than the alternative. I don't think it has any moral or ethical quality to it. For instance, say I was having trouble with my girlfriend and couldn't concentrate at work. So I instead was diddle-dallying around and browsing HN.
I don't have the time or desire to explain to my boss the personal reasons why I was on HN, so instead I might say I was "refactoring" or doing code review. The next day, I'm fine and work extra hard to compensate .. no harm, no foul. I think most people would find that to be a reasonable "white lie".