Nortel Buzzboard

A few minutes ago, the RCMP laid charges against former executives of Nortel who were dismissed for cause in 2004.

Nortel issued the following statement in response to the RCMP’s charges:

“Nortel has not been charged and was not the target of this investigation. The company has fully cooperated with the RCMP and will continue to do so. This is in relation to former executives of the company who were dismissed for cause in 2004.

“Nortel is rebuilding a great Canadian company while upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Incredible progress has been made in the last few years, and today a new Nortel is emerging under the leadership of a new management team with a proven track record. The company has restored a solid financial controls foundation, is gaining traction with customers and is focused on the future.

“Nortel and its employees are highly determined to compete and win in the marketplace and today’s announcement by the RCMP does not distract the company from the work ahead.”

On a personal note, I’ve been at Nortel for a year and a half. I grew up in Ottawa and, like many people, I’ve followed the company through the ups and downs of the past decade. I’m familiar with that part of Nortel’s history. As a Canadian, it’s hard not to be.

But the Nortel I know is not the Nortel that made news headlines in 2003/2004. The Nortel I know has moved past it. And this news doesn’t change my perception of the Nortel I know.