Lay's death "a cheap ploy"

Enron founder Kenneth Lay is reported to have died from a heart attack. Lay was convicted in May of six counts of fraud and conspiracy linked to the downfall of the giant company. Lay had been scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 23, and faced up to 45 years in prison. Lay was also convicted on a count of bank fraud and three counts of making false statements to banks in a separate trial involving Lay's personal banking. Lay faced a sentence of up to 120 years related to those convictions.

A spokesperson for the prosecuting attorney's office stated that Lay's death was: "a cheap ploy to escape just punishment for his misdeeds".

"The American people have had enough of this cowardly practise - dying off so you won't have to serve your time. Ken Lay ain't gettin' away with it ! He will be sentenced at the appointed time, regardless of his deceased-ness".

A special refrigerated cell is being prepared at an undisclosed minimum-security prison to accomodate Lay's corpse after sentencing. Ken Lay's lifeless body is expected to be sentenced to a total of 140 years "in 'da cooler".