It looks like Tom Coughlin's name is again surfacing in relation to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT). Coughlin was the former executive -- a protege of founder Sam Walton -- that was found guilty of fraud and embezzlement at the world's largest retailer years ago. Now, a former administrative manager has sued Coughlin for -- wait for it -- taking part in Coughlin's fraudulent activities.

Patsy Stephens filed a suit against Tom Coughlin last Friday for being terminated that same day by the retailer. Stephens submitted vouchers on Coughlin's behalf and then apparently deposited the money into her own bank account. She then wrote checks for cash to Coughlin and her immediate supervisor, Rob Hey.

As would be expected, Stephens was found guilty of wire fraud and is awaiting sentencing on eight counts. She did have 25 years employment history with the retailer, that is, until last Friday when her official employment was terminated. Stephens, who fired right back with her lawsuit, claims she was not doing anything wrong, and that her actions were thought to be for the good of the company.

Her former supervisor, Rob Hey, has also filed suit against Coughlin. If these two former employees Wal-Mart working under Coughlin really think depositing money from reimbursement vouchers into their own bank accounts in order to write cash checks to Coughlin was okay, then Wal-Mart's hiring practices might not be on the level. From what I've read here, Stephens' case is baseless. What do you think?