The Banality of Evil

As the war drags on, a few of the Bush family that have been unfortunate enough to get caught at disparate crimes along the way are being processed through history. The AP reports today:

Lay's widow says her husband didn't commit any crimes. The AP reports today:

By JUAN A. LOZANO / Associated Press

The widow of Enron Corp. founder Kenneth Lay says her husband didn't commit any crimes, according to court documents filed Friday in the ongoing effort by the federal government to seize nearly $13 million in assets from his estate.

Linda Lay's claims were in response to an October 2006 civil action filed by federal prosecutors after her husband's convictions for his role in Enron's collapse were vacated following his death last year.

The civil action was the only way federal authorities could try to seize $12.7 million in assets they claim were "proceeds of the fraud proven in the criminal case against Lay."

Kenneth Lay had been convicted in May 2006 of 10 counts of fraud, conspiracy and lying to banks in two separate cases. But his convictions were vacated because of his July 2006 death from heart disease.

Prosecutors are looking to take three things: $2.5 million of the value of the couple's condominium in one of Houston's most exclusive high-rises; $10.2 million from a partnership named for both the Lays; and nearly $23,000 in a bank account.

Linda Lay's response to the civil action comes after U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein on Nov. 14 rejected a request from her to halt the government's bid for the money.

In the response, Linda Lay "denies any criminal activity on the part of Kenneth L. Lay, including his alleged participation in securities, fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy or money laundering."

She also denied that any of the property or assets officials are trying to seize was involved in money laundering or acquired through criminal conduct.

Jaclyn Lesch, a Justice Department spokeswoman, declined to comment on Linda Lay's claims.

Both Linda Lay and prosecutors have asked for a jury trial, which has not been scheduled.

Enron, once the nation's seventh-largest company, crumbled into bankruptcy proceedings in December 2001 when years of accounting tricks could no longer hide billions in debt or make failing ventures appear profitable.

Enron's collapse wiped out thousands of jobs, more than $60 billion in market value and more than $2 billion in pension plans.

It's funny how much sympathy Lay still receives from his old party crowd. We are constantly reminded of the good things he did (with other peoples money) and how he was just a trusting old grand dad (stealing other peoples money) Why does this happen. It's not just him. Look what happened to Oscar:

Wyatt faces a probable prison sentence of between 18 and 24 months on the one count and he also agreed to forfeit $11 million. The four charges that were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea included conducting financial transactions with an enemy nation (Iraq) and violating a United States embargo on Iraq. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 27.

My sense is that Wyatt cut a reasonably good deal under the circumstances, or at least as good as any deal can be that likely will require a prison sentence. The government had already cut deals with a series of witnesses who had agreed to testify against Wyatt and -- let's face it -- it's hard to think of a less popular criminal defendant in New York City than a wealthy Texas oilman who openly criticized the U.S. State Department's traditional Middle Eastern policy of supporting Israel. Moreover, although dozens of companies and individuals were cited in the Volcker Report on the scandal-ridden oil-for-food program, it was clear that the Department of Justice was going to make Wyatt the poster boy for the corrupt U.N. program. blog.kir.com

That's fine and dandy, except at the time we were pouring French wine in the gutter and eating Freedom Fries. I called Wyatt a traitor here once, but upon reflection that's not really how I feel. What most outrages me about these stories is the antagonist's sickening sense of entitlement . I m reminded of Atrios' story:

Staff Sgt. Jason Rivera, 26, a Marine recruiter in Pittsburgh, went to the home of a high school student who had expressed interest in joining the Marine Reserve to talk to his parents.

It was a large home in a well-to-do suburb north of the city. Two American flags adorned the yard. The prospect's mom greeted him wearing an American flag T-shirt.

"I want you to know we support you," she gushed.

Rivera soon reached the limits of her support.

"Military service isn't for our son. It isn't for our kind of people," she told him.

War is just an opportunity to steal. Business is just an opportunity to steal. Patriotism, service, committ,emt and sacrifice are for suckers. That is the BFEE moto.