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.