Learn Chinese - Facing prison, Lay believed he had future

WORLD / America

Facing prison, Lay believed he had future
(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-06 22:21

Just last week, Enron Corp. founder and convicted felon Kenneth Lay told
his pastor he was at peace with his future, even if it included prison.
Lay maintained that he was innocent of fraud and conspiracy in Enron's
searing scandal that left thousands jobless and wiped out billions from
investors.

The former corporate celebrity who ascended from near-poverty as a
minister's son in Missouri to the pinnacle of America's business elite
died Wednesday of what a county coroner said was heart disease while
vacationing in Aspen, Colo. He was 64.

Enron founder Kenneth Lay, right, waits at a crossing as co-defendant
Jeffrey Skilling walks up in the background as they go to the federal
courthouse in the 11th week of his fraud and conspiracy trial Wednesday,
April 12, 2006 in a Houston fiole photo. Lay, who was convicted of
helping perpetuate one of the most sprawling business frauds in US
history, has died of a heart attack in Colorado. He was 64. [AP]

"I know he looked to be in good health. He looked like things were going
well for him. He was in church last Sunday," said his pastor, Steve Wende
of Houston's First United Methodist Church.

Lay faced spending the rest of his life in prison after his convictions
May 25 that ended a blockbuster trial stemming from one of the biggest
business debacles in US history.

Wende said Lay told him last week that he was at peace with what he may
face, and he bore no ill will toward jurors who convicted him.

"What he did feel like was that he had a future. He even brought up the
subject of prison and said if he did go to prison, he felt like God could
use him there," Wende said.

Scott Thompson, chief deputy coroner in Pitkin County, Colo., said Lay
died of natural causes. Dr. Robert Kurtzman, Mesa County coroner in Grand
Junction, Colo., said an autopsy showed Lay died of heart disease. He
said there was evidence that Lay had also suffered a previous heart
attack.

Lay was considered a visionary who had President Bush's ear during
Enron's halcyon days, but his reputation and monumental wealth shattered
with that of his company. He spent his last years optimistically
insisting he was no criminal, even after he became a felon.

"I guess when you're facing the rest of your life in jail and in your
heart you know you're an innocent man, I guess it's too much to bear,"
said close friend Willie Alexander of Lay's sudden death.

Lay had stayed out of the public eye since he and former Enron CEO
Jeffrey Skilling were convicted May 25 of fraud and conspiracy for lying
to employees and investors about Enron's financial health. Lay was
convicted of six counts of fraud and conspiracy, while Skilling was
convicted of 19 of 28 counts of fraud, conspiracy, insider trading and
lying to auditors.

Lay also was convicted of bank fraud and lying to banks in a separate,
non-jury trial related to his personal banking.

Lay was scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 23, along with Skilling, who also
faces a long prison term. Lay's death will not affect the government's
case against Skilling, who will appeal his convictions.

Skilling's lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli, described the ex-CEO as
"devastated."

"Jeff and Ken worked closely over the years, and Jeff will miss him
dearly," Petrocelli said.

Page: 1 2

Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours

Today's Top News 

� N.Korea confirms missile tests, vows more launches

� Hu: China must ease wealth gap

� Chinese cars target US auto show

� India, China reopen Silk Road pass

� China urges calm over missile tests

Top World News 

� Israel reoccupies N. Gaza as Mideast crisis soars

� Iran says it will give no early nuclear reply

� Conservative leads in Mexico vote recount

� Suicide blast near Iraqi mosque kills 10

� Mexico reviewing presidential vote tallies

Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship,
wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress,
pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe.

Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet