New Hire of the Week

Now that rogue trader Jerome Kerviel is out on bail, one press-hungry consulting firm has already decided to put his obviously impressive computer skills to use.

Kerviel, who is charged with losing $7 billion in improper trades for French bank Société Générale, has scored himself a new job as a "computer expert."

He started work at computer consulting firm LCA, based in the suburbs of Paris, at the beginning of April.

Kerviel was released on bail on March 18. While he is forbidden from leaving the country or going anywhere near anything even resembling a trading floor, the terms of his provisional release do allow him to pursue employment.

Sure, hiring the disgraced trader is probably just a publicity stunt on LCA's part. But regardless of his apparent technological proficiency, it's gutsy to hire someone charged with breach of trust, forgery, and unauthorized computer activity to work with computers. Isn't that like hiring an alcoholic to tend bar?

by Liz Gunnison