By JUAN A. LOZANO -- Associated Press
Sept. 26, 2006 -- HOUSTON -- Andrew Fastow, one of the key figures in Enron Corp.'s collapse, was sentenced to six years in prison Tuesday.
Fastow, Enron's former chief financial officer, 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 following Enron's collapse and that his family has suffered enough.
"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 at a later date. The judge did allow him to hug his wife, then Fastow was taken away in handcuffs.
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