A May 2006 DOJ release said a federal jury convicted former Enron chief executive Jeffrey Skilling on 19 of the 28 counts he faced, covering conspiracy, securities fraud, insider trading and false statements to auditors.

Why this label

The DOJ release states a Houston jury convicted Skilling on 19 of the 28 counts, covering conspiracy, securities fraud, insider trading and false statements to auditors^S1. The Fifth Circuit affirmed his convictions and the trial court resentenced him to 168 months in 2013 after he agreed to drop appeals^S3. He left federal custody on 21 February 2019^S7. The Supreme Court narrowed one fraud theory in 2010 but did not undo the convictions^S5. The record supports the proposition that a jury convicted Skilling on most counts. He declared his innocence at trial, recorded as a response^S8.

Current procedural position

Convicted by jury on 25 May 2006^S1. Sentenced to 24 years and four months on 23 October 2006^S2. Resentenced to 168 months on 21 June 2013^S3. Released from federal custody on 21 February 2019^S7. Final.

Evidence score: 96 of 100

The score grades how well the record establishes this assessment. It is not a score of Enron Corporation. Score = source authority + directness + corroboration + procedural accuracy + currency + reproducibility.

Timeline

1. 25 May 2006Jury convicts Skilling on 19 of 28 counts^S1
2. 23 October 2006Sentenced to 24 years and four months^S2
3. 21 June 2013Resentenced to 168 months^S3
4. 21 February 2019Released from federal custody^S7

Related cases

• United States v. Jeffrey K. Skilling, Kenneth L. Lay and Richard A. CauseyUS District Court for the Southern District of Texas, appeals to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. Criminal. Cr. No. H-04-0025.Stage: Skilling convicted and sentence final after a 2013 resentencing^S1S3. Lay's conviction vacated and indictment dismissed on 17 October 2006^S4.
  • 24 June 2010 Supreme Court narrows honest-services theory and remands^S5
  • 21 June 2013 Skilling resentenced to 168 months^S3

Responses

• Jeffrey Skilling, April 2006: He testified he was absolutely innocent and vowed to fight the charges.^S8

Revision history

• 25 October 2026 Assessment first published with label Supported.

Have a record that changes this assessment? See corrections and responses.

Sources

1. S1Tier A Federal Jury Convicts Former Enron Chief Executives Ken Lay, Jeff Skilling On Fraud, Conspiracy And Related ChargesUS Department of Justice. Government press release. 25 May 2006.Supports the jury convictions of Skilling on 19 of 28 counts and Lay on all six trial counts. It does not cover later appeals or the vacatur of Lay's conviction.
2. S3Tier A Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling Resentenced to 168 Months for Fraud, Conspiracy ChargesUS Department of Justice. Government press release. 21 June 2013.Supports the resentencing to 168 months, the forfeiture of about $42 million and that the Fifth Circuit affirmed the convictions but vacated the first sentence.
3. S2Tier A Former Enron Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Skilling Sentenced to More Than 24 Years in Prison on Fraud, Conspiracy ChargesUS Department of Justice. Government press release. 23 October 2006.Supports the original sentence of 24 years and four months and a forfeiture order. It predates the later resentencing.
4. S7Tier C Ex-Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling released from federal custodyAssociated Press via Fox News. Press report. 21 February 2019.Reports that Skilling left federal custody on 21 February 2019 after 12 years in prison and six months in a halfway house. Used for the release date only.
5. S5Tier A Skilling v. United States, 561 U.S. 358 (No. 08-1394)Supreme Court of the United States. Court judgment. 24 June 2010.Supports the holding that the honest-services statute reaches only bribery and kickback schemes and that the judgment was affirmed in part, vacated in part and remanded. It did not reverse the convictions.
6. S4Tier A United States of America v. Kenneth L. Lay, Memorandum and Order (Cr. No. H-04-0025)US District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Court judgment. 17 October 2006.Supports the vacatur of Lay's conviction and dismissal of the indictment under the abatement rule after his death. It is the primary court order on abatement.
7. S8Tier C Ex-Enron CEO declares innocence, vows to fight charges 'until the day I die'JURIST. Press report. April 2006.Reports Skilling's trial testimony that he was absolutely innocent. It records his denial, not any finding.

Other claims about Enron Corporation

• Outdated94
  A May 2006 DOJ release said a federal jury convicted Enron founder Kenneth Lay on all six counts he faced at the Houston trial.
  Government press release, 25 May 20062 records citedFraud
• Supported93
  The Supreme Court held in Skilling v. United States, decided 24 June 2010, that the honest-services fraud statute reaches only bribery and kickback schemes and that Skilling's conduct fell outside it.
  Court filing, 24 June 20101 record citedFraud
• Unresolved67
  The SEC said on 8 July 2004 that Kenneth Lay took part in a scheme to defraud and sold more than US$90 million of Enron stock on inside information.
  Regulator statement, 8 July 20041 record citedDisclosure