Computer Associates Ex-Execs Plead Guilty

Three former financial executives at Computer Associates International pleaded guilty to criminal charges, snared in a long-running criminal probe into the software company’s accounting.

Former Chief Financial Officer Ira Zar pleaded guilty to conspiracy, securities fraud and obstruction. He is the most senior official to be named in the matter.

David Kaplan, 37, and David Rivard, 36, both former vice presidents of finance, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and obstruction.

Zar, who according to the Securities and Exchange Commission was a member of the revenue recognition task force of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, faces as much as 20 years in prison. The other two finance officials face five years for each of the two charges.