'A Changed' Fastow Requests Leniency for His Role at Enron --WaPo

[Demeter]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/20/AR2006092001816_pf.html

Carrie Johnson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 21, 2006; D03


Fastow's defense lawyers cited letters from unnamed teachers, friends and relatives who say that Fastow has "stepped up to take responsibility" and has expressed "full remorse" for his role in disguising financial problems at the Houston energy company. Enron's December 2001 collapse cost investors and employees billions of dollars...Over the past two years, Fastow, 44, has helped victims of Hurricane Katrina and volunteered with Meals on Wheels and at his synagogue, where he has taught classes, built a playground and picnic table, and mowed the lawn. "He is a changed man," the court filing said.



Already, they say, Fastow has suffered emotionally, as his wife served almost a year in a high-security Houston prison after pleading guilty to failing to report income taxes from his partnerships. During that stretch, Fastow cared for the couple's two sons, now 8 and 11. One unnamed letter-writer called him "the Dad I would like to be."

Fastow pleaded guilty to two conspiracy charges in January 2004, agreeing to a 10-year maximum prison sentence in exchange for testifying against onetime chief executives Jeffrey K. Skilling and Kenneth L. Lay. During the trial, in which defense lawyers challenged his veracity, Fastow told the jury he "destroyed" his life and was "ashamed to the core."...Under the terms of the Fastow deal, U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt has the option of sentencing Fastow to serve fewer than 10 years in prison but no more than that. "Ten years is not 'necessary' for the message of deterrence to be heard," his lawyers wrote.

Victims of Enron's bankruptcy are invited to sign up at the courthouse on the day of the proceeding to express their own opinions about an apt punishment for Fastow, according to a prior ruling by the judge.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. But, did he find Jesus?

[pinerow]

2. While I have empathy for his wife and

children, I have to temper that empathy with the knowledge that many Enron employees lost their life savings due to Mr. Fastows' role in one of the biggest corporate embezzlements in the history of the U.S.

[kineneb]

3. Too bad, buddy. Did the crime, do the time.

What makes you so special, Andy? How many lives did your crimes ruin?

[Zensea]

4. His plea bargain got him 10 years

That's because if he had been convicted of all the charges he would have probably gotten over 100.
The plea bargain is already giving him leniency.

I was a temp a few years ago in New York City and I read some of the case against him (just one small piece of it).

Just from that alone I think he should get the full sentence.

[freethought]

5. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!

This is almost a cruel joke! If anyone from that whole Enron debacle deserved to go to prison Fastow does!! Little Prick! Have people forgotten what that whole scam did to people? People who didn't even know who or what Enron was or did. Lives were destroyed. It is almost like arguing to release Jeffry Dahmer on the basis that he became "born again". Jailhouse justice eventually got him.

Ken Lay escaped justice by dying. Jeff Skilling will probably wind up being a homeless man, if he doesn't drink himself to death first. And Fastow? He should get out of jail free because he has become such a nice guy!! What a f_____g joke! That would send a great message to would-be white-collar criminals!!:sarcasm:

He made copped his plea and made his deal, let him live with it.

:nuke: :grr: :nuke: :grr:

Actually consider this! If they let him out of prison a disgruntled ex-Enron employee or retiree who lost everything may wind up killing him. Maybe he should stay in, he'd be better protected.