Monster: Backdating BAD

Monster Worldwide has finally put its backdating case to rest. Nary a week after former COO James Treacy was convicted of conspiracy and securities fraud, the online employment search company agreed to pay a $2.5 million fine to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to settle charges that it improperly backdated millions of dollars in stock options.

The company neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing, though CEO Sal Iannuzzi’s comment on the matter was fairly apologetic, as well it should be–after all, Monster had to restate its results for 1997 through 2005 to the tune of about $339.5 million (pre-tax). “This is an important step in closing an unfortunate chapter in the company’s history and putting the issue firmly behind us,” Iannuzzi said in a statement. “Our current executive team has spent the last two years refocusing Monster on its customers and shareholders, retooling the day-to-day management, and overhauling governance in an effort to adhere to the highest standards.”