Enron Verdict: Skilling and Lay Get What They Deserve
Days like today, you’ll hear a lot about how “the system works.” Enron fraudsters Kenneth Lay, known to George W. Bush as “Kenny Boy,” and Jeffrey Skilling have been found guilty. Lay was convicted on 10 counts, Skilling on 19.
But did the system really work? Why did it take five years to bring these men to justice, during which time they lived a very luxurious life.
Meanwhile, a lot of Enron employees who put their trust in the company saw their retirement wiped out when the stock went worthless. Meanwhile, Californians were faced with brownouts and skyrocketing bills because of the way these men manipulated the state’s energy market. And meanwhile, a lot of Enron and Arthur Andersen employees had to find other work.
19th Century British statesman William Gladstone said, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” But at least the wheels of justice have turned.
