Executive News

Sino-Forest Corp. Chairman William Ardell says he found no sign of major fraud while overseeing an eight-month probe of the company. He also says a full account of the Chinese timber producer’s activities and business ties may never be known.

News Corp.’s Sun, the best-selling U.K. newspaper, said multiple police and government inquiries into the press are hurting free speech and constitute a “witch hunt,” following the arrest of five of its employees.

Former Bear Stearns Cos. hedge-fund managers Ralph Cioffi and Matthew Tannin, acquitted in 2009 of criminal charges they misled investors, agreed to pay $1.05 million to settle a related civil case brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.