A couple of questions on Lay and Skilling

[DancingBear]

Are there still deals to be made with them as to who helped them, i.e. the CA energy price-fixing, for one.

Are there political heads to give up in exchange for lighter sentences?

In other words, how much pull do the prosecutors still have, and are they looking "one level up?"

[liberalnurse]

1. Another question too....

Will they be cuffed and shackled today? Can the get out on appeal?

[sinkingfeeling]

2. They will probably be out for years...rounds of appeals and then

Bush will pardon them.

[Old and In the Way]

3. Big political risk, though.

This is a pretty high profile case. Millions of people were directly hurt by the actions of this company. If Bush were to pardon Lay, the blowback against the Republican Party would be pretty severe, IMHO.

[Cerridwen]

4. I agree with you...

but (you knew there was a "but" there, right? :D) I haven't noticed that this particular occupant of the "People's House" is very interested in what happens to "his" party. he and his followers seem more concerned with concentrating their wealth and power regardless of whose backs they must break to do so.

Now, having stated my "but", I hope I'm wrong.

[Old and In the Way]

5. Let me add my own "but", too.

But we don't know what Lay/Skillings could have on GWB. Lay was his #1 benefactor. I suspect that Lay could well have an evidentiary insurance policy that could be, literally, a "get out of jail free" card. If he is pardoned, it won't be because it is good for the Republican Party. It will be because, to do otherwise, would be worse for George Bush.