Should a company be linked to the actions of its CEO? It makes for an interesting study in ethics. In an article written by Ellen Huet for Forbes (May 14, 2014) entitled: “Nextdoor Hit-and-Run: Yet Another Tech CEO Faces Criminal Charges,” we learn about Nextdoor CEO Nirav Tolia: “Nextdoor CEO Nirav Tolia was 
charged with one count of felony hit-and-run after he allegedly swerved dangerously into another lane and caused a woman to spin out of control and crash last August, authorities said.”
Apparently after causing the accident, resulting in multiple injuries for the other driver, Tolia kept on driving. While he did not actually hit the other driver, he swerved so far over that she had no choice but to crash into the median. According to the article: “When a California Highway Patrol officer found Tolia at his Pacific Heights home around 7 p.m. that day [other motorists took down his license plate number], he said he did not see Motley’s car hit the median and kept driving instead of stopping because he was ‘shaken,’ according to the CHP report. He didn’t call 911, he said, because he was ‘in shock’ and had seen other drivers indicate that they would call authorities.”
As someone who has been driving for a long time, it is very difficult for me to believe his story. I would have easily known that I had caused an accident. My goodness, the other car actually spun in front of Tolia’s car before he drove off!
Mr. Tolia’s company, ironically, bills itself as a social network that has been created to fight neighborhood crime. The attorneys for the crash victim said:
“You stay at the scene, especially if you’re a CEO of a company that holds itself out as promoting citizenship and good conduct and neighborliness. There’s no excuse.”
Wheeler-dealer
Mr. Tolia is another of the aggressive, hi-tech wheeler dealers. He raised $100 million for this venture in 2010. What is ethically interesting to me is when he learned of the allegations against him: “(He) called the charge ‘a personal matter’ that is ‘not related to Nextdoor.’ He will cooperate fully with authorities, he said.” His careless driving resulted in the other driver having fractures of the hand and neck.
As I sit here and ponder this case, I can’t help but think about the word “hypocrisy.” Is it unethical to be hypocritical? Perhaps it is. Can one be separated from the other? I am beginning to think not.
Mr. Tolia was impatient to pass a slower moving vehicle and he was in a high-end model BMW SUV. He was not alone. His wife and child were with him. He left the scene with intention. He never called 911 because he said he was “in shock.” Was his wife in shock as well? Did she not have the presence of mind to tell him to stop? Certainly other motorists alerted him to what he had done. Did Tolia or his wife call 911 when they got home? Apparently not.
His company supposedly helps people (including the police) fight neighborhood crime. Is he not a criminal? I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if no one had jotted down his license plate number. Would he have voluntarily called 911? How long might he have waited?
Is Mr. Tolia such a social networking wheeler dealer that he was above the law? It starts to appear that way. Yes, there is an irony to the fact that the CEO of a crime fighting social network committed a felony, but the same would apply to him if he owned a shoe store or a company that manufactured dog biscuits.
It is hard to separate the CEO from the company; I believe that behavior, ethical or unethical, sends a very strong message from the top all the way down. Had Tolia stopped, and then offered aid, apologized at the scene and waited for the police, he would have sent one message. He chose instead to drive away.
I am not naive to the point where I think this will create major ramifications within the organization. “Shame” is an emotion far too few people feel these days. Nevertheless, I am ashamed for Mr. Tolia. He stands for very little; certainly for nothing ethical.
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Like with his company,they cover everything up.They don’t answer emails,they don’t background check their volunteer leads and the company pays people do delete or bock others who have had a bad experience with nextdoor.Like eating the scene of a crime,the leads control crime post in neighborhood’s,I know this this because of post I have put kn in my community.Leads control content so they receive praise for the opportunity to share.The CEO is a hypocrite along with his staff.Let’s hide everything..