May 25, 2006 2:40PM 

# Enron Execs Go Down 

By [Tim Lynch](https://www.cato.org/people/tim-lynch) 

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The jury returned [guilty verdicts](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/25/AR2006052500374.html) against Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling today. I didn’t follow the case closely, but businesspeople who engage in fraud should obviously be punished. I do fear that the publicity surrounding this case will reinforce the misguided notion that *federal prosecutors* should be policing the business world. Cato’s new book, [*Trapped*](http://www.catostore.org/index.asp?fa=ProductDetails&pid=1441292&method=search&t=trapped&a=&k=&aeid=&adv=&pg=), shows that federal intervention will result in far more harm than good.

For those who would rather listen, than read, Prof. John Hasnas, author of *Trapped*, delivered an [address](https://www.cato.org/events/041720006.html) here at Cato last month.

For still more background, go [here](https://www.cato.org/research/criminal-justice/corporate.html).

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