Top 10 Crooked CEOs

CEO: Brocade Communications Systems

Convicted: August 7, 2007 of conspiracy and securities fraud

Reyes, 46, is among the most powerful executives snared in the stock option backdating scandal that swept through Silicon Valley. A jury found that while serving as head of tech firm Brocade Communications Systems from 1998 to 2005, Reyes tampered with the records of employee stock option grants to increase their value without disclosing the changes to investors. The firm's personnel director was also convicted. More than a dozen executives from other firms also faced charges related to backdating fraud, including former Apple CFO Fred Anderson (he later settled with the Securities and Exchange Commission). Reyes broke down in tears during his sentencing hearing in January of 2008, apologizing to the court and telling San Francisco federal court judge Charles Breyer, "There is much that I regret, and if I could turn back the clock, I would." He was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered to pay $15 million in fines. The ex-exec may still walk free; a 9th Circuit Appeals Court panel heard his appeal in May.

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