Court tells Skilling he can't get out on bail

[mike r]

Source: Bloomberg News

Ex-Enron CEO Jeff Skilling was denied a request to be released from prison on bail while he appeals his 2006 fraud convictions. The U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans Friday denied Skilling's request in a one-sentence ruling that didn't provide an explanation.

Skilling, 56, is serving a 24-year sentence after a Houston jury convicted him for leading what prosecutors said was a widespread accounting fraud that deceived investors about Enron's true financial condition. Skilling has asked that his convictions be reversed and that he be retried by a jury that isn't allowed to consider so-called "honest-services" fraud in weighing his guilt or innocence.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Skilling's favor, saying he was prosecuted under a law regarding honest services fraud that doesn't apply to his case. The justices said the law, which covers fraud schemes to "deprive another of the intangible right to honest services," could be constitutionally applied only to cases involving bribery or kickbacks. Skilling's lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli, couldn't be reached for comment.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7186266.html

[xchrom]

1. Sit your ass back down, Skilling. Nt

[mbperrin]

2. So his defense is, "I'm a fucking crook," but that's okay, because

the law doesn't require me to provide honest service.

Interesting.

I have been hoping for a while that Jeff would get just what he deserves from the universe and soon.

[russspeakeasy]

3. Hey, Tom, check back with us in about 15 years....

[femrap]

4. That's a relief. nt

[indypaul]

5. Obviously he still fits in the old legal axiom

"innocent until proven broke." Doubt his lawyers
are working for free. When does "ill-gotten" gain
apply in this matter?