Is writing a book a form of punishment? A lot of authors think it is, even when they’re being compensated for it. But they’ll count their blessings when they read about Dr. Andew G. Bodnar, a former senior VP at Bristol-Myers Squibb. He’s writing a book to stay out of jail.

According to Natasha Singer of the New York Times, Bodnar had given false statements to the federal government in a patent dispute and pleaded guilty. Judge Ricardo M. Urbina of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia sentenced Dr. Bodnar to two years of probation on the condition he write a book about his crime. The purpose is to help those tempted to transgress to benefit from his lessons. This is perhaps the most extreme instance on record of a judge throwing the book at a convicted man.

We’ll track this case to see if Bodnar’s attorneys challenge the sentence on the grounds that it is cruel and unusual. Meanwhile, you can read the details here.

RC