R. Foster Winans Quotes

A collection of quotes by R. Foster Winans.

R. Foster Winans is a former journalist and columnist known for his work at the Wall Street Journal. Born in 1948, Winans attended Boston University where he studied journalism. He joined the Wall Street Journal in 1972 and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a prominent columnist writing the influential "Heard on the Street" column.

However, Winans is primarily known for his involvement in a notorious insider trading case in the 1980s. In 1983, it was revealed that he had been leaking advance information about his upcoming columns to a stockbroker, resulting in illegal trading profits for both of them. This scandal shocked the financial world and led to intense scrutiny of journalistic ethics.

Winans was charged with securities fraud and mail fraud in 1984. He was ultimately convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison. The case sparked a national debate about the ethical boundaries for journalists and the role of insider information in the financial markets. As a result, Winans' actions resulted in significant changes to securities laws and regulations.

After serving his sentence, Winans turned to writing books and various freelance projects. He has also been a vocal advocate for ethical journalism, sharing the lessons he learned from his experience. Today, R. Foster Winans remains a cautionary tale and is often cited in discussions about journalism and insider trading.