[Gothika]

I don't see a total problem with hiring friends if they are truly talented developers. I am good friends with some developers and I would certainly try draft some in to help me. I think it is very import to be comfortable with the team you work with and in it is important to know they've got your back and to know they trust you and vice-versa. That being said I'd never hire anyone purely because of their relationship with me, it would be still be on merit of their skills as a developer.

The main problem here was the questionable history of the people hired.