Final answer:
Executives succumb to the temptation of fraud due to the promise of wealth and higher profits, statistical fraud to avoid contradictory results, and the justification of their actions through appealing to a higher authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
Executives succumb to the temptation of fraud because of various reasons. First, the promise of wealth and higher profits can be extremely tempting, leading them to defy the law. Second, some executives may engage in statistical fraud by stopping data collection once it aligns with their hypothesis, avoiding contradictory results. Lastly, executives may justify their actions by appealing to a higher authority, claiming that the fraudulent behavior serves a greater purpose.