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Uncle Ben Recognized as Hollywood Fraud Fighter

Cliff Robertson, who played Uncle Ben in the first Spider-Man Movie, is being awarded by

AUSTIN, Tex., Aug. 4, 2003 (SmartPros) —The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, a worldwide anti-fraud organization, will present Academy Award winning actor Cliff Robertson with its first-ever Sentinel Award for his fight against the "Hollywoodgate" scandal 26 years ago.

Robertson was the first famous citizen to come forward to expose corporate corruption at the highest levels. In 1977 Robertson discovered that Columbia Studios President David Begelman had stolen Robertson's film royalty checks for himself. In what became known as the "Hollywoodgate" scandal, Begelman told Robertson that the 1968 Oscar winner (for his performance in Charly) "would never work again in Hollywood" if Robertson notified the authorities of Begelman's thefts.

Regardless, Robertson turned over the case to the FBI and Begelman made good on his threats. "I didn't work for three and a half years," said the actor, who was then officially blacklisted in the film industry. Begelman, who was prosecuted for the offense, committed suicide in 1995.

Robertson eventually returned to the silver screen, and his most recent appearance was his role as Peter Parker's uncle in Spiderman, co-starring Toby Maguire.

"Unlike many so-called 'whistleblowers,' Cliff Robertson didn't come forward for money or fame; he was already wealthy and famous," said ACFE founder and chairman Joseph T. Wells. "Mr. Robertson did it for one reason and one reason alone -- because it was the right thing to do. Because of the example he set, many other people now endure sacrifices to tell the truth for the right reasons. It happens every single day in companies around the globe."

Wells added that the term "whistleblower" has a negative connotation, and suggested those who make "heroic sacrifices" be coined "corporate sentinels."

The award carries the inscription "For Choosing Truth Over Self." Robertson will receive the award at the 14th Annual ACFE Fraud Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, August 3-8, 2003.

Subsequent candidates, who may be nominated by ACFE members or the public, must have endured personal sacrifices and cannot have profited from their decision to come forward. In the future, the annual honor will be known as the ACFE Cliff Robertson Sentinel Award.
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EarthsMightiestAdmin
8/4/2003
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