Ann Buchholtz quoted in Wall Street Journal regarding five-star Amazon review by investor of his investment without disclosure

Is it ethical for a venture capital investor to praise a product put out by a company he’s invested in without disclosing his financial interest?

James D. Robinson IV, a founder of RRE Ventures in New York City,  which is currently investing from a $280 million fund raised this year, did just that. RRE  is an investor in Quirky Inc., Palantir Technologies Inc. and OnDeck Capital Inc.

Ann Buchholtz, research director for the Institute for Ethical Leadership at Rutgers University says that, “as a private citizen, he certainly has a right to express his opinion. But,” she added, “he also has a responsibility to let people know any fact that would be appropriate for them to consider.”

Full Article