Free Republic

Filed at 7:17 p.m. ET NEW YORK (AP) -- Jack Grubman quit Thursday as telecommunications analyst for Salomon Smith Barney amid growing controversy over his alleged conflicts of interest in touting the shares of WorldCom, Global Crossing and other fallen companies. In announcing the departure to employees, the company defended the powerful, money-making analyst's work and integrity, but made no mention of the embarrassing investigations into his dual role as stock picker and dealmaker now being conducted the government and securities industry. ``Jack and I agree that recent events have made it difficult for him, both personally and professionally, to...