Later that same year, Dennis Kozlowski resigned. In September 2002, then-former CEO Dennis Kozlowski, former Chief Financial Officer Mark Swartz, and former General Counsel Mark Belnick were sued for accounting fraud. In 2005 both Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Swartz were sentenced to 8 to 25 years in prison. 2. The Storm: An Accounting Scandal The Tyco accounting scandal is an ideal example of how individuals in key positions in an organization are able to manipulate accounting practices and financial reporting for personal gain. The few key individuals involved in the Tyco scandal (CEO Kozlowski and CFO Swartz), used a number of clever and unique tactics to accomplish what they did; including spring loading, manipulation of their “key employee loan” program, and multiple “hidden money” payments.2.1. Spring