Did Martha Stewart get a fair sentence?

[Blade]

Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart has been sentenced to five months in prison and fined $30,000 for lying to investigators about her 2001 sale of ImClone Systems stock. In a statement after this morning's hearing in New York, Stewart pledged "I'll be back."

http://i.cnn.net/cnn/2004/images/07/16/top.stewart.speaks.ap.jpg

[JonM]

I think its fair...she pizzed off the big boys, and you just can't do that and expect to get away with it. She also did all this at an inoppertune time, with Enron happening and alike. If it was someone like you or me...they wouldn't have batted an eyelash.

[theblackvette]

I got some words for what I think of this person, Stewart. But since this is in Off Road Lounge I have to keep them to myself. O well!

I think its fair...she pizzed off the big boys, and you just can't do that and expect to get away with it. She also did all this at an inoppertune time, with Enron happening and alike. If it was someone like you or me...they wouldn't have batted an eyelash.

[1995 RedVette]

I probably have a slightly off beat opinion of this situation but here goes.

First, what did the indictment of Martha Stewart accomplish....

1. Cost Martha Stewart a her position on the board of her own company
2. Cost the jobs of at those companies dependent on Martha Stewart's name
3. Investors lost money on Stewart investments
4. K-Mart loses big
5. The US Government gains nothing...save for a $30, 000 fine that doesn't amount to nor represent a fraction of the cost of "making an example of Martha Stewart"


So who wins.....
The Federal Government get's to say that it won one for the little guy. (Sure..... ask someone who worked for one of Martha's companies and/or K-Mart and lost a chunck of there 401K over..... what was it again....a few thousand dollars that Martha picked up by dumping a stock that she heard was going to tank....)

2. The Federal Prosecutor.... Yes a lawyer, I'm sure they did just fine
3. The defense lawyers .... Probably walked away proud with check in hand knowing that Martha "only got 5 months"

Pardon my slightly right wing approach to things but it seems to me that the only real winners are the lawyers. The Government didn't win, nor did the people that worked and/or invested in companies dependent on Martha Stewart's name. It seems that it would have been far more prudent to invest time and effort in the big fishes, that stole millions of dollars from their emploee's and investors (read Enron etc. )


Brett

[Remo]

Brett,

I'm with you. And let me just add - if Martha is getting five months then Ken Lay should get life with no parole.

Remo:cool

[Guy]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/6304698801.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

;LOL
Guy

[DDLS1]

Guy..........I'm with you;LOL

[GusVette]

Guy...

I'm with youu also.
Gus

[phxraptor]

:eyerole Not just because it's her but people get away with muder in this country and she gets prison time for insider trading ?:confused There are some things that need fixing in a bad way here in the good ole USA.

[Ken]

Dean, how would you feel if you were one of the employees who lost out due to her activities? Other people got hurt too. The sentence is light, maybe too light, and she probably won't even serve any real time.

But you're right when you say "There are some things that need fixing in a bad way here in the good ole USA." :pat

[phxraptor]

Dean, how would you feel if you were one of the employees who lost out due to her activities? Other people got hurt too. The sentence is light, maybe too light, and she probably won't even serve any real time.

But you're right when you say "There are some things that need fixing in a bad way here in the good ole USA." :pat Ken, There is a HUGE differance between revenge {from getting hurt } and justice.

[Edmond]

She should've gotten more time in a "nicer" place like Chicago's Cook County building.

I know someone who worked for a K-Mart that had a visit from her. The girl said that Stewart was so pompous, arrogant and one of the biggest (insert your expletive of choice here) that she'd ever seen. Making all those rank and file employees of K-Mart going through everything to prepare for her visit and Stewart didn't think it was good enough, nonetheless care.

It's that kind of attitude that probably made the prosecutors stick it to her.

As for Ken Lay; I agree with Guy. He's so damn convinced that he didn't do anything wrong and that his family is in so much financial trouble and that he feels so guilty... They should throw those white collar criminals into the worst prisons and let them get a taste of reality.

[vettepilot]

:eyerole Not just because it's her but people get away with muder in this country and she gets prison time for insider trading ?:confused There are some things that need fixing in a bad way here in the good ole USA.
I think the actual charge for which she was found guilty was lying to a Federal Court. That's a :nono . Now if one compares Martha Stewarts little lying to Bill Clinton's, then maybe she should be given a pass. But the fact is, SHE LIED, and that's a Federal Offense. I think the judge got it right, besides he had to do something, so he brought everything down to the minimum. Otherwise we would be asking the question: Do you think it was fair to let Martha Stewart get away clean after lying to a Federal Court.
She may still get away if her appeal works.

vettepilot

[NitroG]

Tommy Chong got 9 months for selling a pot pipe and she gets 5 for lying to the Feds. I agree with Guy.:(

[JonM]

I think nearly half of you are trying to indite her personality.

[Bill75]

I think most of you are missing the issue. She did not get convicted of anything to do with insider trading, she was found not guilty of that charge. She was convicted of lying and covering up her activities. While that may be cause for suspicion in itself and makes you think that if she were innocent she had no nead to cover up anything, the fact remains that she was found not guilty on insider trading. So there is no equating her initial crime to those of Ken Lay (the biggest dirbag on the face of the earth).

[jeffyc]

here is something elese to think about
she got caught trying to hide insider trading
but not convicted of that, but got convicted of lying
ok
maybe she got caught lying but covered up the insider trading so well thats why she never got caught on insider trading?

i not saying she did "insider trade" but maybe she did and covered it up enough.
but left enough of a trail to get caught lying

just a thought

[vette-dude]

So let me see if I have this straight??

You can lie to the Justice Department about having sex with and intern in the Oval Office while you are the elected leader of the Free World and the United State of America and do no time, no fine, and get to retire (very well off I might add) at the end of your term with no penalty.

BUT:

You lie to the SEC about making a few bucks on an insider tip and you get 5 months in jail?? That sucks!! (No pun intended!!)

Randy:confused

[JonM]

So let me see if I have this straight??

You can lie to the Justice Department about having sex with and intern in the Oval Office while you are the elected leader of the Free World and the United State of America and do no time, no fine, and get to retire (very well off I might add) at the end of your term with no penalty.

BUT:

You lie to the SEC about making a few bucks on an insider tip and you get 5 months in jail?? That sucks!! (No pun intended!!)

Randy:confused
Clinton didn’t get off absolutely scott-free. If I recall his license to practice law was suspended for fie years and he was fined. Correct me if I am wrong.

[Rain]

I think perjury needs "degrees" in our law system such as the ones we have with murder.

Bill Clinton cheated on his wife while in office. Not a really original crime or a very malicious one.
He broke a commandment of the Bible, but not one of US Law.(far as I know)

It was none of the public's business what or who he was doing. This was internal and the press and the public should have given the respect that the office of President of the United States USED to hold.

Put under the microscope, he did what 90% of the human population would have done, lied about it to protect his ass, her ass, his job, and the good name of his family. Motives.

In my book, he should have never been forced to answer that question with anything but " its none of your business".

Bill gets Purgery 1.

Martha Stewart did something illegal. Insider trading. It too goes on daily just like cheating on your spouse does. To be innocent of that but guilty of covering it up and telling false statements in order to cover up -
Thats Purgery 3 maybe. Lots of folks got the short end of the shaft as a result of her actions.
In her mind shes convinced that she simply sold stock and it threw up red flags since it was at the "wrong place at the wrong time". More to this whole event than we know I bet.
She was questioned for something that was Legallly Wong, and lied about it.

Thats my take on it anyway -
If everything else is wrong in my post, I at least think we should have Degrees of Perjury.
:D

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-Madam Stewart is a fine most admirable lady, yet being human, she indeed committed an unforgivable sin, --she got caught with her hand in the cookie-jar!! --then instead of simply saying "Darn, -that was foolish of me, i jumped and let greed get the best of me; --let us all learn from this grevious error in ethics" and probably getting off with a mere $150k-fine (chump change to this near billionaire), --nope, instead she tried to stonewall the Feds by lying, -and that dumb act naturally only made things worse! That is why she is looking at jail-time, because she would'nt admit that she is human, and tempted by greed like the rest of humanity. A totally-ethical business-person would have not tried to take advantage of "insider-trading knowledge" --she is a very sophisticated and schrued business-person, and as such knew full well that doing so was very much against the law; -as by doing what she did, someone else took the bite for the adverse-investment, --and that is just plain greedy, petty, and mean-spirited! -One has to take their licks in that rough'n-tumble game called the stockmarket, and she is so wealthy, why sweat the small-stuff; --it was an exercise in poor judgement (which we all have been guilty of at one time or another). Bottom-line is, YES, she needs to do jail-time because she had her chance to get-off with a mere fine, but just couldn't bring herself to admit she is not perfect (she obviously has a fatal- "i must be perfect complex", -which ate her alive). Because others get away with far worse acts (our SanDiego/Superior-courtSystem has an ElCajon-judge(H.H.) who is an outright-criminal, -and should go to Jail for life for his greedy-corruptness, -for example!! --but no, you must address him "your honor"). Feel sorry for Martha's sad plight? --You Bet I Do, but it is right we all "pay the piper"....
Sincerely, ~Bob VonHeck in sandiego calif.

[drags1998]

I would have to go with KEN on this one!!!!!! Martha has a place in Maine and from what I have herd She is a very NASTY neighbor, and JUST a *****!!!!!!! Just put her in a regular JAIL for 2-5 years !!!! NOT A SUMMER CAMP FOR 5 MON.:D

[Edmond]

I would have to go with KEN on this one!!!!!! Martha has a place in Maine and from what I have herd She is a very NASTY neighbor, and JUST a *****!!!!!!! Just put her in a regular JAIL for 2-5 years !!!! NOT A SUMMER CAMP FOR 5 MON.:D

I think that's closer to reality than the "domestic diva" BS that her PR department puts out.

[doylede]

I think the actual charge for which she was found guilty was lying to a Federal Court. That's a :nono . Now if one compares Martha Stewarts little lying to Bill Clinton's, then maybe she should be given a pass. But the fact is, SHE LIED, and that's a Federal Offense. I think the judge got it right, besides he had to do something, so he brought everything down to the minimum. Otherwise we would be asking the question: Do you think it was fair to let Martha Stewart get away clean after lying to a Federal Court.
She may still get away if her appeal works.

vettepilot
Vettepilot got it right. Martha wasn't convicted of insider trading. Her stock transactions were within the law. She was convicted of lying under oath about her stock transactions.

How stupid is this woman?

If she'd told the truth or just kept her arrogant mouth shut, she would be free today.

I voted for much more jail time on the basis of terminal stupidity.

[vette-dude]

I would have to go with KEN on this one!!!!!! Martha has a place in Maine and from what I have herd She is a very NASTY neighbor, and JUST a *****!!!!!!! Just put her in a regular JAIL for 2-5 years !!!! NOT A SUMMER CAMP FOR 5 MON.:D
Based on the above premise of the quote that we jail all women who meet the criteria of being a ***** then we would have most of the female population incarcerated. Gee, I hope they would allow conjungal visits!!!;) Martha is going to jail cause she lied. I would venture to guess that all of the respondents to this "Poll" lie when they do their income tax, cheat on their wives, go drinking with the boys, or have an opportunity to make a little cash from other ventures. It seems to me that when a women exerts her opinions and is successful she is labeled a ***** but when a man does it he is considered a strong but an opinionated captain of industry. I fail to see why the double standard. Was Martha a threat to the good ole boy network?? I think so and that is why she is going to jail. Yes, she lied, but I would bet my corvette that many of her male equals have uttered similiar untruths in their past while being investigated by the SEC or other judicial bodies. Slick Willy for one comes to mind. No jail time for him. Slap on the wrist and back to business as usual. So think what you may about Martha, but I say she got the shaft because of who she is and her threat to the male dominated business world of powerful executives. Her punshiment is not for the petty crime of lying to the investigators about insider trading but more for being a powerful, opinionated, and strong female executive and a threat to the good ole boy network. I agree what she did was wrong but I think the jail time is over the top.

Randy:w

[Remo]

Her punshiment is not for the petty crime of lying to the investigators about insider trading but more for being a powerful, opinionated, and strong female executive and a threat to the good ole boy network. I agree what she did was wrong but I think the jail time is over the top.

Randy:w
Say Randy - you don't happen to work for the EEOC do you?

Remo:cool

[vettepilot]

Her punshiment is not for the petty crime of lying to the investigators about insider trading but more for being a powerful, opinionated, and strong female executive and a threat to the good ole boy network. I agree what she did was wrong but I think the jail time is over the top.

Randy:w
Lying, while under oath in a Federal Court, or any court for that matter is not a petty offense. Telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is the foundation of our justice system, and indeed our civilized society. I know it's naive to think that everybody is 100% honest 100% of the time, but one should at least make the effort when under oath during testamony. :pat

We [America] are beginning to reap the fruits of what we have been sowing since the 60s, yes my generation, our generation, began the flower child, free loving, pot smoking, anything goes life style. Today, those people of Woodstock are in their early to late 50s, and many are highly successful business leaders. But what good is success if it comes at such the high price of lying and cheating all the way to the top, only to be toppled by one's own greed, or something as simple as lying while under oath. I for one don't think it's worth it to bring enormous success and wealth, then lose it all just when one has attained their pinnacle. A fall from grace at our age may not be recoverable in today's highly competative business world. Especially now that the average consumer and investor has seen the corruption exposure at the tops of many enterprises.

vettepilot

[vette-dude]

Say Randy - you don't happen to work for the EEOC do you?

Remo:cool
No - - but after watching my wife attempts (and subsequent failure to succeed) at promotions in a male dominated company I see how the system is against any women who might have the ability to lead. I'm not saying that the lie Martha gave should be taken lightly-- just that the punishment should be equally applied to both sexes. Normally I don't take issue with such things but for some reason this hit a little close to home.

Randy:w

[Remo]

I'm with you. And let me just add - if Martha is getting five months then Ken Lay should get life with no parole.

Remo:cool
Randy - just so you don't think I'm completely out of touch with your thought - I included my earlier comment on the subject.:)

Remo:cool

[vette-dude]

Randy - just so you don't think I'm completely out of touch with your thought - I included my earlier comment on the subject.:)

Remo:cool
Guess we'll have to see how that one plays out. :eyerole

Randy:w

[vette-dude]

But what good is success if it comes at such the high price of lying and cheating all the way to the top, only to be toppled by one's own greed, or something as simple as lying while under oath.
Vette pilot,

I resemble that remark about children of the 60's. Maybe the reason that we are what we are is because of the way the Government spied,lied,framed, and persecuted the American people during this era and actually probably since the inception of this form of Government. I don't think things have changed much. The Government has just found a more covert way to do the same things they did back then. And yes, I am a Viet Nam vet and I did not become a war protestor upon my return (unlike some who would have you believe they are heros of that tragic war). Lying to the Government is not a new thing. It isn't right, I agree, but this is pure persecution of a prominent women for the purpose of Politics in my opinion. Certain individuals in Government use cases like this to gain noteriety amongst their peers in anticipation of promotions or appointments to higher office (read that as GREED). The media feeds on this to turn public opinion in favor of the Government. These are just rash generalizations but if you closely examine the case and follow the prosecutors careers down the road a few years you will understand why they made this such an issue. It has nothing to do with for the Good of the People. It has more to do with personal gain. It happens quite often and nothing you or I do or discuss here will ever change it. It is just the way it is when you reward little minded Government buearacrats with absolute power and turn them loose. So how does this end?? Not well I imagine!! At least it didn't for Martha!!

Randy:w

[Edmond]

From my personal experience:

If we're talking about a male dominated business where a woman has become successful; we can't forget the fact that the woman sometimes comes in with that tougher and holier than thou attitude to show that "she can keep up with the boys."

[vette-dude]

Good Ole Boy Network Strikes Again.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5497043/

Like I have been saying, she is getting the shaft on this deal.

Randy:eyerole

[RonS95]

I think she should of gotten more time. Every time I see or hear her, I get this attitude feedback that said, " I did nothing wrong, I am Martha Stewart and I CAN DO NO WRONG."

My 2 cents.

[GusVette]

I think she should of gotten more time. Every time I see or hear her, I get this attitude feedback that said, " I did nothing wrong, I am Martha Stewart and I CAN DO NO WRONG."

My 2 cents.
Right on Ron!:upthumbs

but you forgot to mention that she still wants everyone to continue to buy her products,magazine etc..."She feels good about it"
Gus

[hansenisu]

Yeah, she didn't get the jail time for insider trading she got it because she lied to the FEDS - you don't do that s***t and get off scott free. The insider trading stuff would have cost her a fine and no jail time probably. She brought this on herself by lying and dragging it out. If anyone lost a job or money on her stock it falls in her lap. She's hardly a victim.

[Paranoid]

There were other-bigger fish to fry than Martha. She was easy prey.