THE FALL OF ENRON: Judge asked to drop several charges

[Judi Lynn]

June 1, 2005, 12:19AM

THE FALL OF ENRON
Judge asked to drop several charges
Attorneys say former executives not connected to analysts' meeting
By JOHN C. ROPER
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Former executives for Enron's Internet unit asked a federal judge to drop several charges against them because they believe the government has failed to successfully prove they committed those crimes.

The lion's share of the requests were related to Kevin Howard and Michael Krautz, two midlevel executives accused of fraud and conspiracy related to a video project with Blockbuster Video.Howard and Krautz urged U.S. District Court Judge Vanessa Gilmore to drop all charges — one count of conspiracy and 15 counts of fraud — against them.

Last week, the prosecution rested in the case, and the defense was scheduled to begin Tuesday. But Gilmore gave jurors the day off so she could hear the defense's legally technical arguments designed to poke holes in the prosecution's case.

Attorneys for the two men argued that neither Howard nor Krautz had anything to do with a 2000 stock analyst conference in which all five executives have been charged with a single, overarching conspiracy to trick investors about the value of the business.

"From the perspective of Mr. Howard and Mr. Krautz, there's no evidence that they conspired with these three people," defense attorney Jack Zimmermann said.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/3206313
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[ElsewheresDaughter]

1. the USSC opened this can of worms with its reversal on Author Andersen

it is the begining of Kennyboys free pass :grr: :banghead:
:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[Brooklyn Michael]

6. On the contrary....

The case could now be made: If no one lower down the pecking order Enron can be prosecuted for any crime, yet obviously a crime occured, then the final responsibility should fall squarely on the shoulders of the CEO in charge, i.e. Kenny-Boy.

If NO ONE got convicted, I wouldn't be a damn bit surprised by a militia made up of former Enron epmployees taking matters into their own hands....

[nonconformist]

2. And elsewhere today

A former Enron employee will go without the medication they need.

A former Enron employee will have to make the choice between buying food and paying rent.

And some poor schmuck will be sentenced to a ridiculous amount of jailtime for having a small personal stash of marijuana.

I don't know anything about these guys, for all I know they are innocent. But I know Ken Lay is living a comfy life and everytime I see the word Enron I see red.

[TahitiNut]

3. Such defense motions are obligatory.

They'd be remiss if they didn't make motions for dismissal at the conclusion of the prosecution.

[WeRQ4U]

5. Yep...

They do this for EVERY trial, regardless of the weight of evidence. Usually denied from the bench.

[sam sarrha]

4. well..actually pardoning them would make Bu$h look bad..this is easier