Another Gotham member and I had a long discussion this week about a former colleague.  Several years ago, our former colleague had made a series of bad and, arguably, exceedingly unethical business decisions. As a result, she lost her job and paid a civil fine. To my knowledge, that was the extent of her “punishment.” I remember, at the time, being shocked at the intensity of the allegations levied against her.

Fast forward now five years. The former colleague is now in a different business and reaching out to former associates. She has returned to the field in which I knew her. In that field I had regarded her  as a highly skilled professional.

Now the issue becomes, second chances. At what point does someone deserve a second chance? And, if I was to refer a colleague or client to her do I disclose her past? In this Google driven world has your consideration of what you should disclose changed?