[ipioxu15]

Wrong.

According to the article, the "punishment" on table was a disciplinatory hearing. The PI decided to resign rather than undergo that.

The situation is not materially worse than someone getting fired for a reason, and I don't see many stories on HN about that.

[rwcarlsen]

Regardless of what she chose (resign or be disciplined), her career may never recover. I meant "punishment" in a more abstract sense.

[Someone1234]

You complained they never got a "trial." The person you're responding to was quite correctly pointing out that was completely their choice, a disciplinary hearing would allow all sides to present information, but she effectively plead guilty instead (i.e. take the ultimate sanction).

[rwcarlsen]

That isn't necessarily true. Even being accused of things can cause significant damage. Also, a huge grant organization had already pulled their funding.

[dopamean]

So you're arguing for not accusing people of things?