I support all the previous posts regarding this matter, and whole heartedly support the penalty applied to the said operators.
In reply, and hopefully not perceived as posting as an operators flunky, I ask what has happened to the payee.
The payee being that one that coped the money, reduced the hours on the M.R. and let his mate fly an aircraft that was out of time.
A bit like the maxim ....If you don't have receivers of stolen goods you would have a lot less thieves..... This case ranks of that, I feel. (Of course with the exception of the gutsy one that whistle blew, good on you mate, should be more like you)
Food for thought...?