# Kenneth Lay

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Founder of Enron Corporation (1942–2006)

"Ken Lay" redirects here. For the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, see [Ken Lay (police officer)](/source/Ken_Lay_(police_officer)).

Not to be confused with [Kenneth Law](/source/Kenneth_Law).

Kenneth Lay Mugshot of Lay upon his arrest in 2004 Born Kenneth Lee Lay (1942-04-15)April 15, 1942 Tyrone, Missouri, U.S. Died July 5, 2006(2006-07-05) (aged 64) Snowmass, Colorado, U.S. Education University of Missouri (BA, MA) University of Houston (PhD) Occupation Businessman Spouses Linda Lay Judith Ayers Children 5 Signature

**Kenneth Lee Lay** (April 15, 1942 – July 5, 2006) was an American businessman and political donor who was the founder, chief executive officer and chairman of [Enron](/source/Enron). He was heavily involved in [Enron's accounting scandal](/source/Enron_scandal) that unraveled in 2001 into the largest [bankruptcy](/source/Bankruptcy) ever to that date. Lay was indicted by a [grand jury](/source/Grand_jury)[1] and was found guilty of 10 counts of securities fraud at [trial](/source/Trial_of_Kenneth_Lay_and_Jeffrey_Skilling).[2] Lay died in July 2006 while vacationing in his house near [Aspen, Colorado](/source/Aspen%2C_Colorado), three months before his scheduled sentencing.[3] A preliminary autopsy reported Lay died of a heart attack caused by [coronary artery disease](/source/Coronary_artery_disease). His death resulted in a [vacated judgment](/source/Vacated_judgment).[4][5][6]

Lay left behind "a legacy of shame" characterized by "mismanagement and dishonesty".[7] In 2009 a list posted on [Portfolio.com](/source/Portfolio.com) ranked Lay as the third-worst American CEO of all time.[a][8] His actions were the catalyst for subsequent and fundamental corporate reform in regard to "standards of leadership, governance, and accountability".[7]

Lay was one of America's highest-paid CEOs; between 1998 and 2001, he collected more than $220 million in cash and stock in Enron, selling 1.7 million of those shares.[9] However, during his trial in 2006, Lay claimed that Enron stock made up about 90% of his wealth, and that his [net worth](/source/Net_worth) at that time was negative $250,000.[10]

## Early life

Lay was born in the [Texas County, Missouri](/source/Texas_County%2C_Missouri), town of [Tyrone](/source/Tyrone%2C_Missouri), the son of Omer and Ruth ([née](/source/Birth_name#Maiden_and_married_names) Rees) Lay.[11] Lay's father was a [Baptist](/source/Baptists) preacher and Lay grew up in poverty after the family's [general store](/source/General_store) failed. Later in Lay's childhood, his family relocated to [Columbia, Missouri](/source/Columbia%2C_Missouri), and Lay attended [David H. Hickman High School](/source/David_H._Hickman_High_School) and the [University of Missouri](/source/University_of_Missouri), where he studied [economics](/source/Economics), receiving a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) in 1964 and a [Master of Arts](/source/Master_of_Arts) in 1965.[12][13] He served as president of the [Zeta Phi](/source/Zeta_Phi) chapter of the [Beta Theta Pi](/source/Beta_Theta_Pi) fraternity at the University of Missouri.[13] He earned a [Doctor of Philosophy](/source/Doctor_of_Philosophy) in economics from the [University of Houston](/source/University_of_Houston) in 1970.[12][13][14]

He worked at [Humble Oil](/source/Humble_Oil) as an economist from 1965 to 1968 in the Corporate Planning Department.[12][13][14][b] In 1968, Lay entered the [Officer Candidate School](/source/Officer_Candidate_School_(United_States_Navy)) for the [United States Navy](/source/United_States_Navy) where, from 1968 to 1971, he rose to the rank of lieutenant and was the special assistant to the Navy Comptroller and Financial Analyst at the Office of Assistant Secretary of the Navy in the Department of the Navy at [The Pentagon](/source/The_Pentagon).[13]

## Career

Lay worked from 1971 to 1972 as a technical assistant to commissioner and vice chairman ([federal energy regulator](/source/Regulatory_Affairs)) of the [Federal Power Commission](/source/Federal_Power_Commission) and served as the energy deputy undersecretary for the United States Department of Interior until 1974.[12] In 1974, he returned to the business world as an executive at [Florida Gas Transmission](/source/Florida_Gas_Transmission)[12] and was president of [Continental Resources](/source/Continental_Resources) from 1981 to 1982.[13][14] In 1982, he joined Transco Energy Company, owner of the [Transcontinental Pipeline](/source/Transcontinental_Pipeline), in Houston and held the positions of president, chief operating officer and director until 1984 when he became chairman and CEO of the Houston Natural Gas Company.[13][14]

By the time energy was deregulated in the 1980s, Lay was already an energy company executive and he took advantage of the new climate when Omaha-based [InterNorth](/source/InterNorth)[c] bought his company [Houston Natural Gas](/source/Houston_Natural_Gas) and changed the name to [Enron](/source/Enron) in 1985.[13][d]

He was also a member of the board of directors from 1993 to 2001 of [Eli Lilly and Company](/source/Eli_Lilly_and_Company)[14] and a director at [Texas Commerce Bank](/source/Texas_Commerce_Bank).[19] In 1996 he held negotiations to replace [Robert E. Allen](/source/Robert_E._Allen_(telecommunications_executive)) as the CEO of [AT&T](/source/AT%26T).[20]

### Political involvement

Lay was a friend of the [Bush family](/source/Bush_family), including former president [George H. W. Bush](/source/George_H._W._Bush). He made monetary contributions, led several committees in the [Republican Party](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) and was co-chairman of Bush's [1992 re-election committee](/source/George_H._W._Bush_1992_presidential_campaign).[21] As President, Lay flew Bush and his wife to Washington on an Enron corporate plane.[22] In December 2000, Lay was mentioned as a possible candidate for either [United States Secretary of Energy](/source/United_States_Secretary_of_Energy) or [Secretary of the Treasury](/source/United_States_Secretary_of_the_Treasury) under [George W. Bush](/source/George_W._Bush).[20][23] He was not nominated because it was decided that the administration already included too many energy businessmen from [Texas](/source/Texas).[20]

Lay additionally had friendly relations with the Republican politicians [Gerald R. Ford](/source/Gerald_Ford), [Dick Cheney](/source/Dick_Cheney), and [James A. Baker III](/source/James_Baker) as well as the Democratic politicians [Bill Clinton](/source/Bill_Clinton) and [Ann Richards](/source/Ann_Richards). He encouraged [John Ashcroft](/source/John_Ashcroft) to campaign in the [2000 Republican Party presidential primaries](/source/2000_Republican_Party_presidential_primaries), although this was partially to ensure him as a [spoiler candidate](/source/Vote_splitting) to help Bush win the race.[20]

From 1989 to 2002, Lay's political contributions totaled $5.8 million, with 73% going to [Republicans](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)), and 27% going to [Democrats](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)).[24] From 1999 to 2001, he gave $365,410 to the Republican Party.[25]

### Enron bankruptcy and trial

Lay's company, Enron, went bankrupt in 2001. At the time, this was the biggest bankruptcy in U.S. history. In total, 20,000 employees lost their jobs and in many cases their life savings. Investors also lost billions of dollars. On July 7, 2004, Lay was indicted by a [grand jury](/source/Grand_jury) in [Houston, Texas](/source/Houston%2C_Texas), for his role in the company's failure. Lay was charged, in a 65-page indictment, with 11 counts of [securities fraud](/source/Securities_fraud), [wire fraud](/source/Wire_fraud), and making false and misleading statements. The [trial of Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling](/source/Trial_of_Kenneth_Lay_and_Jeffrey_Skilling) commenced on January 30, 2006, in Houston.[2]

Lay insisted that Enron's collapse was due to a conspiracy waged by short sellers, rogue executives, and the news media.[26][2] On May 25, 2006, Lay was found guilty on six counts of conspiracy and fraud by the jury. In a separate bench trial, Judge Lake ruled that Lay was guilty of four additional counts of fraud and making false statements. Sentencing was scheduled for September 11, 2006, and rescheduled for October 23, 2006.[27]

## Death

Lay died on July 5, 2006, while vacationing in [Colorado](/source/Colorado). The [Pitkin County](/source/Pitkin_County) Sheriff's Department confirmed that officers were called to Lay's house in [Snowmass, Colorado](/source/Snowmass%2C_Colorado), near [Aspen](/source/Aspen%2C_Colorado) at 1:41 am [Mountain Daylight Time](/source/Mountain_Time_Zone). Lay was taken to Aspen Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:11 am MDT. The autopsy indicated that he died of a heart attack brought on by [coronary artery disease](/source/Coronary_artery_disease), and found evidence that he had suffered a previous heart attack.[3]

A private funeral for about 200 people was held in Aspen four days after his death. His body was cremated and his ashes were buried in an undisclosed location in the mountains.[28][29] A memorial service was held a week after his death at the First United Methodist Church in Houston. It was attended by over 1,000 guests, including [George H. W. Bush](/source/George_H._W._Bush) and [James Baker](/source/James_Baker).[30] Conspiracy theories emerged regarding Lay's death, alleging that it was faked.[31]

On October 17, 2006, the conviction was overturned due to [abatement *ab initio*](/source/Abatement_ab_initio), a legal doctrine which says the death of a defendant during an appeal results in a [vacated judgment](/source/Vacated_judgment).[32][33] The government opposed Lay's attorneys' motions of appeal.[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] The [United States Department of Justice](/source/United_States_Department_of_Justice) issued a statement saying it remained committed to pursuing all available legal remedies for victims of the fraud.[34][35]

## Personal life

At the time of his death, Lay had been married to his second wife, Linda, since 1982. Both Linda and his first wife, Judith, supported Lay through the trial and made appearances at court. Kenneth Lay had two children, three stepchildren, and twelve grandchildren.[36][12]

## See also

- [Timeline of the Enron scandal](/source/Timeline_of_the_Enron_scandal)

- [Jeffrey Skilling](/source/Jeffrey_Skilling)

- [Richard Kinder](/source/Richard_Kinder)

- [David L. Sokol](/source/David_L._Sokol)

- [Northern Natural Gas Building](/source/Northern_Natural_Gas_Building)

- [Texas Commerce Bank Headquarters](/source/JPMorgan_Chase_Building_(Houston))

- [Texas Commerce Tower](/source/JPMorgan_Chase_Tower_(Houston))

- [Enron Complex](/source/1400_Smith_Street)

- [Lou Pai](/source/Lou_Pai)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Lay was ranked third-worst behind [Angelo Mozilo](/source/Angelo_Mozilo) at second-worst and [Dick Fuld](/source/Dick_Fuld) at worst overall.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** On January 1, 1973, Humble Oil Refining merged with its parent, Standard Oil of New Jersey, to form [Exxon Company, USA](/source/Exxon).[15]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** In 1983, Northern Natural Gas, owner of the [Northern Natural Pipeline](/source/Northern_Natural_Pipeline)[16] merged with [Arthur Belfer](/source/Arthur_Belfer)'s Belco Oil & Gas Corporation to become the BelNorth Petroleum Corporation.[17]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** [Dynegy](/source/Dynegy) purchased Northern Natural Pipeline from Enron in November 2001 and then sold it in July 2002 to [Warren Buffett](/source/Warren_Buffett)'s [Berkshire Hathaway](/source/Berkshire_Hathaway).[18]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-crawford_1-0)** Crawford, Kristen (July 12, 2004). ["Lay surrenders to authorities"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040805134108/http://money.cnn.com/2004/07/08/news/newsmakers/lay/). *[CNN](/source/CNN)*. Archived from [the original](https://money.cnn.com/2004/07/08/news/newsmakers/lay/) on August 5, 2004.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-reckoning_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-reckoning_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-reckoning_2-2) Pasha, Shaheen; Seid, Jessica (May 25, 2006). ["Lay and Skilling's day of reckoning"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060616112858/http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/25/news/newsmakers/enron_verdict/index.htm). *[CNN](/source/CNN)*. Archived from [the original](https://money.cnn.com/2006/05/25/news/newsmakers/enron_verdict/index.htm) on June 16, 2006.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LAT_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LAT_3-1) Mulligan, Thomas S.; Bustillo, Miguel (July 6, 2006). ["Death Puts Lay Conviction in Doubt"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jul-06-fi-lay6-story.html). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Fowler, Tom (October 17, 2006). ["Judge vacates conviction of Ken Lay"](http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4265806.html). [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** *United States v. Lay*, Criminal Action No. H-04-0025, 456 F.Supp.2d 869 (S.D. Tex. 2006), at [\[1\]](https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?q=Enron+%22Kenneth+L.+Lay%22&hl=en&as_sdt=3,44&case=9672920608260410457&scilh=0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DarkSide61_6-0)** Bratton, William W. (May 2002). "Does Corporate Law Protect the Interests of Shareholders and Other Stakeholders?: Enron and the Dark Side of Shareholder Value". *[Tulane Law Review](/source/Tulane_Law_Review)* (PDF) (1275). New Orleans: [Tulane University Law School](/source/Tulane_University_Law_School): 61. [SSRN](/source/SSRN_(identifier)) [301475](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=301475).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bloomberg2006_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bloomberg2006_7-1) Morrison, Mark (July 4, 2006). ["Ken Lay's Dark, Ironic Legacy"](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-07-04/ken-lays-dark-ironic-legacybusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice). *[Bloomberg News](/source/Bloomberg_News)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Portfolio's Worst American CEOs of All Time"](https://www.cnbc.com/2009/04/30/Portfolios-Worst-American-CEOs-of-All-Time.html?slide=19). *[CNBC](/source/CNBC)*. April 30, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Multiple sources: - Wayne, Leslie (January 13, 2002). ["Enron's Collapse; Before Debacle, Enron Insiders Cashed In"](https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/13/business/enron-s-collapse-before-debacle-enron-insiders-cashed-in-1.1-billion-in-shares.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. - Ackman, Dan (February 2, 2002). ["Lay Lays an Egg"](https://www.forbes.com/2002/02/05/0205topnews.html). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*. - Johnson, Carrie (June 10, 2006). ["A Woman of Conviction"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/09/AR2006060901922.html). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. - Mulligan, Thomas S.; Riveral Brooks, Nancy (June 18, 2002). ["Enron Paid Senior Execs Millions"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jun-18-fi-enron18-story.html). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Pasha, Shaheen (September 7, 2006). ["U.S., Lay estate ink $12M pension settlement"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100822201412/http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/07/news/newsmakers/lay_enron_claim/index.htm). *[CNN](/source/CNN)*. Archived from [the original](https://money.cnn.com/2006/09/07/news/newsmakers/lay_enron_claim/index.htm) on August 22, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Handbook of Texas Online](http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/flaxv). Retrieved March 2, 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LayBio_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LayBio_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-LayBio_13-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-LayBio_13-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-LayBio_13-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-LayBio_13-5) ["Biography: Ken Lay"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100715031704/http://www.biography.com/articles/Kenneth-Lay-234611). biography.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.biography.com/articles/Kenneth-Lay-234611) on July 15, 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ChronicleObit_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ChronicleObit_14-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ChronicleObit_14-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ChronicleObit_14-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-ChronicleObit_14-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-ChronicleObit_14-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-ChronicleObit_14-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-ChronicleObit_14-7) ["Dr. Kenneth Lee Lay Obituary"](https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?pid=18370951). *[Houston Chronicle](/source/Houston_Chronicle)*. July 7, 2006.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-nndbBioLay_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-nndbBioLay_15-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-nndbBioLay_15-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-nndbBioLay_15-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-nndbBioLay_15-4) ["Ken Lay"](https://www.nndb.com/people/974/000022908/). *[NNDB](/source/NNDB)*. Retrieved January 6, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Substitute the name "ExxonCompany, U.S.A." for the name "Humble Oil and Refining Company""](https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1224/ML12244A281.pdf) (PDF). *[Nuclear Regulatory Commission](/source/Nuclear_Regulatory_Commission)*. December 20, 1972. Retrieved January 6, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Graham, Judith (February 1, 2002). ["Pipeline retirees in Omaha hurt by Enron collapse: Former subsidiary once was the pride of Nebraska city"](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/02/01/pipeline-retirees-in-omaha-hurt-by-enron-collapse/). *[Chicago Tribune](/source/Chicago_Tribune)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Belco Oil & Gas Corp. History"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170918181350/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/belco-oil-gas-corp-history/). *fundinguniverse.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/belco-oil-gas-corp-history/) on September 18, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Sorkin, Andrew Ross (July 30, 2002). ["Berkshire to Buy a Gas Pipeline From Dynegy"](https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/30/business/berkshire-to-buy-a-gas-pipeline-from-dynegy.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** [Roger Stone](/source/Roger_Stone); Saint John Hunt (2016). "5: JEB Goes to Venezuela". [*JEB! and the Bush Crime Family: the Inside Story of an American Crime Dynasty*](https://archive.org/details/jebbushcrimefami0000ston). Skyhorse Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1510706798](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1510706798).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_24-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_24-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_24-3) Eichenwald, Kurt (2005). [*Conspiracy of fools : a true story*](http://worldcat.org/oclc/973543262). Broadway Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7679-1179-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7679-1179-2). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [973543262](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/973543262).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Commentary: Ken Lay's Audacious Ignorance"](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-02-05/commentary-ken-lays-audacious-ignorance). *[Bloomberg News](/source/Bloomberg_News)*. February 5, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Bajaj, Vikas; Eichenwald, Kurt (July 6, 2006). ["Kenneth L. Lay, 64, Enron Founder and Symbol of Corporate Excess, Dies"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/06/business/06lay.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Cameron, Sue (July 5, 2006). ["Obituary: Ken Lay"](https://www.ft.com/content/3d6dc48e-0c4b-11db-86c7-0000779e2340). *[Financial Times](/source/Financial_Times)*. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221212001228/https://www.ft.com/content/3d6dc48e-0c4b-11db-86c7-0000779e2340) from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cbsnews-enron_28-0)** ["Follow the Enron Money"](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/follow-the-enron-money/). *[CBS News](/source/CBS_News)*. January 12, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-campaignmoney-lay_29-0)** ["Ken Lay Biography and Political Campaign Contributions"](https://www.campaignmoney.com/biography/ken_lay.asp). *Campaign Money*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Peters, Jeremy W.; Romero, Simon (July 5, 2006). ["Enron Founder Dies Before Sentencing"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/05/business/05cnd-lay.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Pasha, Shaheen (July 5, 2006). ["Enron founder Ken Lay dies"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060712034504/http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/05/news/newsmakers/lay_death/). *[CNN](/source/CNN)*. Archived from [the original](https://money.cnn.com/2006/07/05/news/newsmakers/lay_death/) on July 12, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Moreno, Sylvia (July 13, 2006). ["Lay Is Remembered As a 'Straight Arrow'"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/12/AR2006071201776_pf.html). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Lay victim of 'lynching,' speaker at service says"](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-07-13-0607130116-story.html). [Chicago Tribune](/source/Chicago_Tribune). [Bloomberg News](/source/Bloomberg_News). July 13, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Tolson, Mike (July 13, 2006). ["Lay praised by family and friends"](https://www.chron.com/business/enron/article/Lay-praised-by-family-and-friends-1873904.php). *[Houston Chronicle](/source/Houston_Chronicle)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["Conspiracy theories surround Ken Lay's death"](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13864798). *[NBC](/source/NBC)*. July 15, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Murphy, Kate (October 17, 2006). ["Judge Throws Out Kenneth Lay's Conviction"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/18/business/18enron.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** Engber, Daniel (July 6, 2006). ["Can't the Feds Get Lay's Money?"](https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2006/07/why-can-t-the-government-take-money-from-a-dead-criminal.html). *[Slate](/source/Slate_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["Lay's Estate And DOJ Prepare For Battle"](https://www.law360.com/texas/articles/8799/lay-s-estate-and-doj-prepare-for-battle). *[Law360](/source/Law360)*. August 17, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** ["Lawyers Seek to Throw Out Lay Conviction"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/17/business/lawyers-seek-to-throw-out-lay-conviction.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. [Bloomberg News](/source/Bloomberg_News). August 17, 2006.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-about-lay_40-0)** Stritof, Sheri. ["Kenneth and Linda Phillips Lay Marriage Profile"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151128211425/http://marriage.about.com/od/infamous/p/kenlay.htm). *About*. Archived from [the original](http://marriage.about.com/od/infamous/p/kenlay.htm) on November 28, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2015.

## External links

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- [US v. Skilling and Lay](http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/enron/usvlay70704ind.pdf), indictment document (2.3MB [PDF](/source/PDF)).

- [Calling Inquiries a Distraction, Enron Chief Quits Under Pressure, The New York Times, January 24, 2002](https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/24/business/24LAY.html)

- [Ken Lay's political campaign contributions](http://www.campaignmoney.com/biography/ken_lay.asp)

- [Lay, Skilling guilty in Enron Scandal](https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna12968481) – MSNBC

- [The Times](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-2257919.html)[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*], Obituary

- [Appearances](https://www.c-span.org/person/?33190) on [C-SPAN](/source/C-SPAN)

v t e Enron Corporation Predecessors InterNorth Houston Natural Gas Divisions and subsidiaries Enron Energy Services Prisma Energy International Enron Wind Power Services Enron International Azurix EnronOnline LJM Chewco People Kenneth Lay (Founder, Chairman and CEO) Jeffrey Skilling (President, COO, and CEO) Andrew Fastow (CFO) Rebecca Mark-Jusbasche (Vice Chairman, Chairman and CEO of Enron International) Sherron Watkins (Vice President of Corporate Development, whistleblower) Enron scandal Arthur Andersen Enron Corpus NatWest Three Trial of Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling Skilling v. United States Sarbanes–Oxley Act In culture Books Anatomy of Greed Conspiracy of Fools Pipe Dreams: Greed, Ego, and the Death of Enron The Smartest Guys in the Room Other Enron (play) Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (documentary film) The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron (television movie)

v t e Dot-com bubble People Daniel Aegerter Marc Andreessen Bob Bernard Jeff Bezos Henry Blodget James H. Clark Cynthia Cooper Bob Davis Bernard Ebbers David Filo Charlie Gasparino Richard Grasso Alan Greenspan Jack Grubman Josh Harris Jeff Hawkins Howard Jonas Gerry Kearby Timothy Koogle Kenneth Lay Arthur Levitt Mary Meeker PayPal Mafia Kevin O'Leary Jason Olim Stephan Paternot Jim Rutt Michael J. Saylor Jeffrey Skilling Eliot Spitzer Scott D. Sullivan Kaleil Isaza Tuzman Julie Wainwright Jerry Yang Companies 3Com 360networks AboveNet Actua Corporation Airspan Networks Akamai Technologies Alteon WebSystems Amazon America Online Arthur Andersen Ask Jeeves Blue Coat Systems Boo.com Books-A-Million Broadband Sports Broadcast.com CDNow Chemdex CMGI Inc. Cobalt Networks Commerce One Covad Cyberian Outpost CyberRebate Digex Digital Convergence Corporation Digital Insight Divine DoubleClick eBay eGain Egghead Software Enron Epidemic Marketing Excite Flooz.com Freei Gadzoox GeoCities Global Crossing govWorks Handspring Healtheon HomeGrocer HotBot Infoseek InfoSpace Inktomi Interactive Intelligence Internet America iVillage iWon Kozmo.com lastminute.com The Learning Company Liquid Audio LookSmart Lycos Angelfire Tripod MarchFirst Merrill Lynch MicroStrategy Net2Phone NetBank Netscape Network Solutions NorthPoint Communications OmniSky Palm, Inc. PayPal Pets.com PFSweb Pixelon PLX Technology Prodigy Pseudo.com Radvision Razorfish Redback Networks Register.com Ritmoteca.com Savvis Scout Electromedia modo Terra theGlobe.com Think Tools TIBCO Software Tradex Technologies Transmeta uBid United Online USinternetworking UUNET VA Linux Systems Verio VerticalNet Vignette Corporation WebChat Broadcasting System Websense Webvan WorldCom World Online Yahoo! History Enron scandal Irrational exuberance Sarbanes–Oxley Act Telecoms crash Trial of Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling WorldCom scandal Publications Blood on the Street Conspiracy of Fools The Industry Standard The PayPal Wars Broadcast media e-Dreams Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room Startup.com Valley of the Boom Category

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Israel Other IdRef Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kenneth Lay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Lay) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Lay?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.