Enron case big test of the `idiot defense'

[Judi Lynn]

Enron case big test of the `idiot defense'
Ex-chief vows to say he was blind to crimes

By Greg Burns
Tribune senior correspondent
Published January 2, 2006

The Enron Corp. trial opening Jan. 30 in Houston is shaping up to be the biggest test yet of the so-called idiot defense.

Former Enron chief Kenneth Lay has vowed to tell jurors from the witness stand that he knew nothing about crimes committed at the energy company.

And while Wednesday's plea bargain by co-defendant Richard Causey, a former top Enron accountant, is a blow to the defense, it is unlikely to change a defense strategy that boils down to a simple theme: Blame Fastow.

In a campaign of public appearances since his indictment last year, Lay has conceded only that he erred in trusting Andrew Fastow, the ex-Enron chief financial officer who is cooperating with the government against him.
(snip/...)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0601020229jan02,1,4921772.story?coll=chi-business-hed
(Free registration required)

[saigon68]

1. At a War Crimes trial --- this DEFENSE is WORTHLESS

But if they hold it in a rustic Area of Texas. The local jury may be swayed by the dark Side of the Force

[shoelace414]

2. It didn;t work for Kozolowski's

partially because they are paid seven or eight figures, they get paid that much, they should not be the morons they are pretending to be.

[thefool_wa]

8. That and

The CEO is paid six or more figures to KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR COMPANY. This guy is a crook and I hope he goes to the darkest prison they can find in Texas.

[Jackpine Radical]

10. Six figures? Try eight. Not counting his options,

which aren't worth a lot any more.

[hang a left]

15. it won't work here either...

Really though, he has to launch a defense. What other defense could he use?
He can't use the "I didn't know it was illegal" defense. They are so incredibly busted. Let us just hope he gets what he's got coming. No?

[acmejack]

3. Lay had this reputation as being very aware of everything.

Used to be feted as such a superb manager, but now...

[acmavm]

4. I saw a clip once where the story was about old Kenny Boy flying around

on one of the corporate jets. He was acting all smug and snarfy and he honestly made the remark about 'kids, if you blah blah and work very hard, someday you too may be able to do the same' or some such words very close to that. I don't remember them exactly but I do remember them because I was pissed. I was mad for a number of reasons but mostly because I worked for Northern Petrochemical, and InterNorth company, when Houston Natural Gas took over. That's a story for another day....

Anyway, what I want to know now is what constitutes this 'work' that he told the future corporate baron wannabes about? Doesn't it include knowing what the hell is going on in the company that you are the head of? (Damn preposition.)

And what about his well timed sell off of his personal Enron stocks? While he was telling to poor employees to buy, buy, buy? He knew. He knew very well that the company was about to tank.

He is a very baaaad man.

[Mist]

5. Reminds me of the Nixon defense in Watergate

For quite a while, Nixon said he had no idea what was being done in his name. I remember a LTTE that asked
"Have you ever heard of a madam of a whorehouse who was a virgin?" Same question could be asked of Kenny-Boy.

[skids]

6. The prosecutors should use their salary as evidence.

"How could an idiot manage to pull down 6/7 figures in salary?"

:-)

[gratuitous]

7. I call it the "Sgt. Schulz" defense

We'll see how it flies; after all, when you're facing a long stretch in the pen, I don't want to deny any defendant any legal tactic or strategy that he thinks might work. But the overwhelming picture that these crooks want you to get is that somehow, some way, these well-connected white guys just happen upon money. Millions and millions of dollars just, I don't know, falls out of the sky or something, and lands in their pockets. Nobody knows how or why this happens, it just does. I mean, if all the traffic lights turn green as you approach, are you going to contact the city to check into it? Of course not. You're just going to make great time, and not think anything more about it. Same thing for Kenny boy.

And now? Well {sniff}, I'll have you know {choke} that Mr. Lay is down to {sob} his last four {wail} houses! Don't you feel sorry for him?

[KittyWampus]

12. It's the "Invisible Hand" I tell you... putting those millions in their

pockets

[Jacobin]

9. I thought these guys were "The Smartest Guys in the Room"

Didn't they even make a a movie about Enron using that title?

Didn't they dismiss their critics who asked questions by saying everyone was just too stupid to understand how smart they were?

[4morewars]

11. Now they can be...

the smartest guys in the prison !
Yup, a smart fella like "kenny boy" will be running the joint in no time !

:rofl:

[Buns_of_Fire]

13. I think it was the Twinkies served in the executive lunchroom...

The Twinkie Defense Page

[Journeyman]

16. Well, Kenny Boy may end up as someone's "twink". . .

but that's a tale we needn't concern ourselves with at this time. . . though I hope such concern keeps Kenny awake nights.

[JusticeForAll]

19. Thanks for that brief link of history

that I have "heard" about but should have known more about.

eeeuch...Ken Lay as someone's "twink"? :puke:

[0007]

14. If only Cliff Baxter was around to testify what he knew.

[MiniMe]

17. Ignorance of the law is no excuse

At least thats how it goes for us little people

[goforit]

18. Shredding the documents certainly benefited the Gangsters.

[InsultComicDog]

20. I guess the Chewbacca defense

...didn't work...