Granite Makes 'World's Most Ethical Companies' List

Granite Construction, the company behind the failed Liberty Quarry project, was named one of the world's most ethical companies.

The Ethisphere Institute added the company to its list in March for its corporate responsibility, according to Alex Brigham, the executive director of Ethisphere.

"A strong ethical foundation is a competitive advantage, and Granite Construction recognizes the important role that corporate responsibility plays in improving its bottom line,” he said in a written statement.

The company was recently embroiled in controversy over south of Temecula. .

Ethics have always been high on the company's priority list, according to Karie Reuther, a spokesperson for Granite this week.

"In the world of construction industry ethics and compliance, we have a duty to lead by example," she said.

Granite’s immediate past president was the founding chairman of the Construction Industry Ethics and Compliance Initiative.

From its initial 13 founding members in 2008, the group has grown this year to 45 contractors and engineers who commit to ethical conduct and compliance with the law and encourage the sharing of best practices, Reuther said.