When see-no-evil greed in mortgage lending practices caused global credit markets to seize up and very nearly brought some of the world's biggest banks to their knees, you know it's a propitious time to inaugurate a list of the dumbest executive moves of the year.

But boardroom blunders were hardly limited to Wall Street. Senior executives from coast to coast had plenty to be red-faced about in 2007.

Some were showering their significant others with too much money or not enough respect. Others were sticking with corrupt old practices they should have stopped, or bankrolling decadant new traditions that never should have started.

Appearing on Portfolio.com's list of the Ten Dumbest C.E.O. Moves doesn't necessarily mark a bad year for anyone.

But it does mean that the unlucky winners suffered an uncomfortable stretch that will not be forgotten soon.

And, so, our nominees...