Can no longer read plist files

Question

I've got a script that iterates through a list of hostnames, connects to each host, looks for the existence of a list of applications, and if they exist reads their Info.plist for the version.  This worked seamlessly until a couple of days ago.  The only change I can think of is having changed my username on all of my Macs from <username> to <username>.sa to differentiate privileged accounts from unprivileged accounts.  Yes, this caused a number of issues, and I've hunted them down.  I can connect to every host with <username>.sa, perform actions with sudo, etc.  What I can't do any more is read plist files, even when logged in locally:
quad:~ username.sa$ defaults read /Applications/Utilities/Adobe\ Flash\ Player\ Install\ Manager.app/Contents/Info.plist
2014-06-26 15:03:59.588 defaults[49157:507]
Domain /Applications/Utilities/Adobe Flash Player Install Manager.app/Contents/Info.plist does not exist
quad:~ username.sa$ ls -l /Applications/Utilities/Adobe\ Flash\ Player\ Install\ Manager.app/Contents/Info.plist
-rw-r--r--  1 root  wheel  1344 May 28 12:02 /Applications/Utilities/Adobe Flash Player Install Manager.app/Contents/Info.plist
quad:~ username.sa$ cat /Applications/Utilities/Adobe\ Flash\ Player\ Install\ Manager.app/Contents/Info.plist
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
  <key>BuildMachineOSBuild</key>
  <string>12E55</string>
  <key>CFBundleDevelopmentRegion</key>
  <string>English</string>
  <key>CFBundleExecutable</key>
  <string>Adobe Flash Player Install Manager</string>
  <key>CFBundleIconFile</key>
  <string>FlashPlayerInstaller.icns</string>
  <key>CFBundleIdentifier</key>
  <string>com.adobe.flashplayer.installmanager</string>
  <key>CFBundleInfoDictionaryVersion</key>
  <string>6.0</string>
  <key>CFBundleName</key>
  <string>Adobe Flash Player Install Manager</string>
  <key>CFBundlePackageType</key>
  <string>APPL</string>
  <key>CFBundleSignature</key>
  <string>????</string>
  <key>CFBundleVersion</key>
  <string>14.0.0.125</string>
  <key>DTCompiler</key>
  <string>com.apple.compilers.llvm.clang.1_0</string>
  <key>DTPlatformBuild</key>
  <string>4H1503</string>
  <key>DTPlatformVersion</key>
  <string>GM</string>
  <key>DTSDKBuild</key>
  <string>10K549</string>
  <key>DTSDKName</key>
  <string>macosx10.6</string>
  <key>DTXcode</key>
  <string>0463</string>
  <key>DTXcodeBuild</key>
  <string>4H1503</string>
  <key>NSMainNibFile</key>
  <string>FPIMMain</string>
  <key>NSPrincipalClass</key>
  <string>NSApplication</string>
</dict>
</plist>
The file is there.  It is readable.  I can read it... just not with the 'defaults' command.  This is with all plists on all of my Macs.

Answer 1

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.