Enron's Legacy: Two Tales of Two Employees

Like thousands of others, Adam Plager lost his job and some of his retirement when Enron went bankrupt in 2001. However, unlike many former employees, Plager has no burning desire to see Jeff Skilling and former chairman Ken Lay spend the next 25 years in federal prison. Plager managed a division at Enron that specialized in risk management software and worked under Skilling, but he didn't get hurt financially because he didn't trust Enron and didn't invest heavily in the company.

In contrast, Connie Castillo was a legal secretary who cared for her dying father while working at Enron. She had no reason to be wary and poured her money and retirement into Enron stock, believing the company's promise of historical profitability. Castillo is still trying to let go of her feelings of betrayal towards Skilling and Lay, especially with Skilling on the stand. She is outraged that Enron locked its employees out of their retirement accounts for weeks as the company spiraled towards bankruptcy, preventing them from salvaging what they could.

Key Takeaways:

• Adam Plager, a former Enron software manager, didn't get hurt financially due to his lack of trust in the company and his decision not to heavily invest in Enron stock.
• Plager worked under Skilling and saw the company's culture of recklessness firsthand, but he didn't participate in the hype and instead took advantage of the lax spending.
• Connie Castillo, a former Enron legal secretary, poured her money and retirement into Enron stock, believing the company's promise of historical profitability.
• Castillo is still trying to let go of her feelings of betrayal towards Skilling and Lay, especially with Skilling on the stand.
• Castillo is outraged that Enron locked its employees out of their retirement accounts for weeks as the company spiraled towards bankruptcy.
• Plager believes that Skilling and former chairman Ken Lay will not be found guilty and possibly won't spend time in jail.
• Castillo is hoping that justice is being served in the courtroom and that the jurors can see through the false faces of Skilling and Lay.

Statistics:

• More than 4,000 employees lost their jobs and some of their retirement when Enron went bankrupt in August 2001.
• Adam Plager managed a division at Enron with 30 people working under him.
• Connie Castillo worked as a legal secretary caring for her dying father while employed at Enron.
• Castillo poured her money and retirement into Enron stock, believing in the company's promise of historical profitability.
• Enron locked its employees out of their retirement accounts for weeks as the company spiraled towards bankruptcy.

Sources:

• JACKI LYDEN, host: NPR broadcast
• WADE GOODWYN reporting: NPR News
• Mr. ADAM PLAGER (Former Software Manager, Enron): NPR News
• Ms. CONNIE CASTILLO (Former Enron Employee): NPR News