Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Digest

Talk of the day

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 22, 2006

It's just tough being a disgraced Enron exec

Former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling, who faces 20 to 30 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 23, has had another run-in with the law.

And Andrew Fastow, Enron former chief financial officer, wants a judge to go lighter on him.

Skilling was arrested for public intoxication about 1:45 a.m. Sept. 9, his lawyer confirmed.

"Jeff is doing the very best he can to deal with a nearly impossible situation," the attorney, Daniel Petrocelli, said.

A police report said Skilling was not drinking at the time of his arrest and he did not resist officers. He was in the swanky Uptown neighborhood north of downtown Dallas, near where he owns a townhouse.

Public intoxication is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. He apparently will not go to jail early for violating terms of his $5-million bond.

Fastow, meanwhile, has asked for less time in prison than the 10 years he agreed to when he admitted his role in the fraud that destroyed the company.

The former CFO is "a changed man" and was unfairly blamed by other Enron insiders, Fastow's lawyer, David Gerger, said in a presentence memo.

Other chatter

APPLE TO OFFER IPOD BARS: Apple Computer Inc. is unveiling a new store design to add more show room for iPod music players and Macintosh computers and stations where shoppers can get technical help for their products. The new stores will have an "iPod Bar" and Studio where artists and musicians will offer advice on creative projects. Apple stores already have "Genius Bars" for repairs and questions on Macintosh computers. Apple unveiled a revamped line of iPods - including the redesigned Shuffle, shown here - on Sept. 12.

CALIFORNIA SUES AUTOMAKERS OVER EMISSIONS: California is suing the auto industry over tailpipe emissions, marking the first time a state has sought monetary damages for the effect of global warming by vehicles. Attorney General Bill Lockyer on sued the six largest U.S. and Japanese automakers - Chrysler Motors Corp., General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor North America Inc., American Honda Motor Co. and Nissan North America Inc. - claiming they have causing millions of dollars in damage by creating greenhouse gases. Lockyer is suing on the theory that greenhouse gases are a "public nuisance" under California and federal law.

[Last modified September 22, 2006, 00:16:15]