No sympathy.
They were both licenced pilots.
Your Private pilot friend was logging PIC no doubt, so they should accept responsibility as well.
I'm glad to see the FAA taking enforcement action - they don't do it enough in my opinion which has lead to real degradation in airmanship as people used to not expect any repercussions of not assuming the responsibilities of being a pilot, and when appropriate pilot in command.
You may say it could happen to anyone. It doesn't - I make sure it doesn't happen to me and make sure my students understand the pre-flight preparation I teach them is an absolute minimum.