[jaclaz]

I think (but maybe it is only a duplicate) that you may be thinking at this story about Tom Watson (IBM):

http://www.mbiconcepts.com/watson-sr-and-thoughtful-mistakes...

[probably_wrong]

The one I remember was definitely about a scam, but I have no doubt that it was a rehash of similar stories in the past. Yours is probably the original, which is even better.