The Conflict Of Interest

Google chairman Eric Schmidt is on the short list to become the next commerce secretary, CNN Money reports. But he's got a small problem: nine million shares of Google worth about $5 billion at today's stock price. It's a conflict of interest if a federal official sets policy on a matter from which he or she might benefit. Schmidt would need to sell his shares. He's been a favorite of the administration when it comes to consulting on internet and broadband technology.