In-Line Engineering: Over-the-line financial planning

In-Line Engineering has been in business in the midwestern United States for over 30 years, and the company's owner, Sam Sliderule, P.E., wants to sell the business to his employees and gracefully retire. This is challenge enough, but to complicate matters, In-Line Engineering is now facing stiff competition from a new firm in town, FBN Engineering Services. In just a few short months, In-Line's backlog of work has plummeted and it has become clear to Sam that unless he quickly sells out to one of FBN's competitors, say, Nemesis Engineering, he will have to release all of In-Line's employees and close the doors. Desperate to stave off financial ruin, Sam and one of his engineer employees draft a transition plan consisting of several components, all geared toward improving In-Line's financial situation for the short term. Though Sam feels the plan might accomplish a buyout by Nemesis, he is uncomfortable with parts of it. Sam has sought your opinion as to whether the various components of the plan are legal and ethical.