Later that year, Dennis Kozlowski resigned. In September 2002, Dennis Kozlowski, then former CEO, Mark Swartz, former CFO, and Mark Belnick, former general counsel, were prosecuted for accounting fraud. In 2005, 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 illustration of how individuals in key positions in an organization are able to manipulate accounting practices and financial reports for personal gain. The few key people 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' scheme and multiple 'hush money' payments.2.1. Spring