Enron backed firm run by boss's former girlfriend

[spindrifter]

Andrew Clark in Houston
Tuesday April 18, 2006
The Guardian

Enron's former boss Jeffrey Skilling failed to disclose to his boardroom colleagues that the energy company was doing $450,000 (£257,000) of business with a tiny company run by his ex-girlfriend, it emerged yesterday.

<snip>

Mr Berkowitz asked Mr Skilling about his interest in Photofete. Mr Skilling initially replied that he had bought $30,000 of shares and its business with Enron was $3,000. "I didn't disclose it because it wasn't that big," he said.

In a dramatic flourish, the prosecution then produced cheque book stubs showing that Mr Skilling had pumped $180,000 into the venture in 2000 and 2001 - and that Enron's contract with Photofete was worth $450,000.

<snip>

The jury heard that Mr Skilling sold more than $22m of shares over the 18 months before Enron's collapse. His ex-wife, Sue, and then fiancee, Rebecca Carter, were doing likewise - selling stock for $15m between them - although Mr Skilling insisted he did not know this.

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1755574,00.html

++++++++++++++

Quite amazing that the captains of industry know absolutely nothing about the coincidental occurrences right under their snouts, when they spent untold gazillions, possibly *brazillians,* snooping on other businesses.

[babylonsister]

1. Skilling's flushing himself down the bowl; sweet justice!

So much for his good-guy, innocent image he was attempting to project.

[SoCalDem]

2. Amazing too that there is always a string of ex-wives and girlfriends

They are certainly "busy"..

[Fridays Child]

3. Jeffrey's killing.

When I watched that man testify before Congress about Cliff Baxter's death, I never felt so certain that a person was lying, in my life--with the possible exception of watching Susan Smith lie about her children being abducted.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

5. Is Baxter the guy who shot himself in his car?

"he blew his mind out in his car... he didn't notice that the lights had changed...
A thousand people turned away... but I just had to look... having read the book..."

[Fridays Child]

6. Yes, that's the guy. As I recall, there were things about his...

"...suicide" that just didn't add up. But Jeffrey Skilling's performance in front of Congress is what I remember the most clearly. I felt sure that he was lying, when he claimed to be mystified by his friend's death.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. What's the difference between Skilling and the Titanic?

During the manufactured energy crisis in California in 2001, Skilling proffered a joke in Enron circles: What's the difference between California and the Titanic? When the Titanic went down, the lights were on.

Whatever they do to Skilling and Lay, this Californian is going to enjoy it.

[fujiyama]

7. Just saw that Enron flick a few days ago

"Enron: The smartest guys in the room".

I definetely recommend it. It's a great documentary. It's crazy how deep their web of lies go. I wish we could do the same to the members of this administration and realize how far they go.