We will never know what transpires among senior managers behind closed doors.

Doubtless Carty and Benson would have been the chief proponents of some form of debt/equity assistance. Benson would have been unforgivably remiss had he not had a proposal in hand. Since I do not believe that of him, I posit that he can't be blamed for his partners' failure to pony up.

Of course, neither can the partners be blamed for refusing to throw good money after bad.