What Eddie doesn’t seem to understand (or perhaps want to) is that as the CEO he is responsible and therefore ultimately liable for the mess ABS is in. He was paid to act responsibly and whether he took money or options is irrelevant as either way it was payment.
The fact that the present auditors have a different view on the accounts than the previous auditors is also not relevant. The new auditors won’t sign off until they are absolutely and legally certain that the accounts truly reflect ABS' position. If the previous auditors totally stuffed things up then ABS has a cause of action against them. There has been no talk of any potential action against them so it must therefore follow Eddie agreed and he signed off on those accounts as well.
It may not be Eddie is not totally at fault for the ABS mess but he is the one who is going to be blamed for it and must for the company long term health and future resign.
ABS
a.b.c. learning centres limited
