Former Enron CFO gets six years in jail

HOUSTON — Andrew Fastow, the mastermind behind financial schemes that doomed Enron Corp., was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison for his role in the energy company’s stunning collapse by a judge who felt he deserved leniency.

Fastow, the former chief financial officer who cooperated with prosecutors in other cases related to Enron’s 2001 implosion, had agreed to serve a maximum 10-year term when he pleaded guilty in 2004.

But the judge said he deserved a lighter sentence because Fastow has been persecuted after Enron’s failure and because his family has suffered enough. Fastow’s wife already has served a year for her role in the scandal.

“Prosecution is necessary, but persecution was not,” said U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt. “These factors call for mercy.”

Fastow was taken immediately into custody after the judge rejected his request to turn himself in later.

The judge did allow him to hug his wife, who was seated in the front row of the packed courtroom. They embraced for several seconds before he was taken away in handcuffs.

Fastow must serve all six years because there is no parole in the federal system. He also was sentenced to two years of probation after his release from prison.