HOUSTON — The former chief executive of Enron’s failed Internet business was sentenced Monday to 16 months in prison for lying about the capabilities of the once mighty energy giant’s broadband network in order to help pump up the company’s stock price. Joseph Hirko also agreed to pay $8.7 million in restitution and apologized for his actions before being sentenced.
He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
“I’ve always tried to be an example for my kids, to show them by my actions to do right. I can’t do that anymore. The best I can do is stand here before you and accept responsibility for my actions,” Hirko said before he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore as his three adult children and his wife sat in the courtroom.
Hirko’s attorney, Per Ramfjord, had asked for a sentence of a year and a day. The Associated Press; AP file photo
