"do you have any quotes to this effect from clarke's testimony? the fact that he considered his position to have changed doesn't justify your conclusion. nor does your personal judgement on his pridefulness."

Conclusion? I'm just examining the man's potential motives. Money and the knowledge that hell hath no fury like a bureacrat deprived of the symbol of his status are powerful considerations. The comment on his pride comes from people, many who support him, who've worked with him over the years. Not under oath, of course, but something to consider none the less.

In truth, in my company, in most of business, no one is ever demoted. If an issue is serious enough to warrant a demotion, they're fired instead. Demotion stirs too much resentment and rarely turns out well.