Sanjay Kumar gets an even dozen

It was with very mixed emotions that I read today about Sanjay Kumar being sentenced to twelve years in prison for cooking the books over at Computer Associates.  As a Long Islander, it was with a great amount of pride that we looked at Computer Associates as our entry into the "silicon world".  The idea of a couple of local guys making good in a world dominated by people in "the valley" was very appealing.  Kumar and Charles Wang built an empire out in Hauppauge.  So much so that they actually cleaved a piece of it from the town and invented Islandia.  Islandia was founded and lived off of the taxes paid by CA, though I am sure they got some sort of deal. Their houses out in Oyster Bay rivaled the North Shore mansions built by the robber barons of the turn of the century (the 1900's, not the 2000's). Their business tactics were legendary.  No email during certain hours, child care and gym on premises, building by acquisition were just some of the things we all heard about on the island.  Then they rescued the NY Islanders hockey team, coming to the rescue like white knights.

Of course around that time rumors began to swirl of "irregularities" over in Islandia.  Many of the people I knew there, who had worked there for many years began to drift off.  When Wang himself stepped aside, many just thought he had made enough and was going to let Kumar have his turn at the trough.  Well it seems Kumar was a little to piggish at the trough and took more than he should have.  Rumors swirled about Wang being involved as well, but they could never find enough evidence to make a case.  With so much excess there, it boggles the mind why there was a need to cheat for yet more.  But this is not the first case in history where alot is never enough.  Now Kumar has to pay the piper.  For all those whose investments were wiped out by his cheating, this is fair revenge and justice.  To all those who may have gotten away and for whom Kumar is taking the wrap, consider yourselves lucky.  To Kumar and his family, I am sure this seems excessive.  To Long Islanders everywhere, it is a lesson that all that glitters is not necessarily gold.