Recently at my job we hired someone new in our department and we quickly became friends. Fact was that over time they began to abuse our friendship and use me as a cover for them in arguments they started with other coworkers as well as actions that broke company policy and our contract. I went to HR about it and my coworker lost their job; this was after management started making comments about how I was involved in such and such activities. My coworker said that I violated our friendship and what they did had nothing to do with work even though it was entirely work related and they were using me as an alibi. I couldn’t allow my new friend to use me and get fired. I have a new baby to take care of, but it doesn’t feel great being blamed for their actions as if they didn’t do anything at all. I never was the cause of someone losing their job and I have felt awful about it ever since. My wife says it was the right thing to do but I feel so guilty.