FeedBurner
James Beard's Len Pickell Gets 1-3 Years
By JULIETTE ROSSANT  The Associated Press reports that Len Pickell, former president of the James Beard Foundation, was sentenced today to one to three years in prison for stealing $1.1 million from the organization, spearheaded by the late great Peter Kump (who also founded ICE) and other major Foodies including the late and ever greater Julia Child (click here to read more about the James Beard Foundations' fine history).Pickell was an unpaid volunteer and, ironically, is "now in psychotherapy to figure out why he turned down the offer of a salary and stole from the foundation instead," the article said. (Click here to read the full article.) Previous articles: James Beard Awards: Dearth of Top Women Chefs? Congratulations: James Beard Awards nominees James Beard, Emmys to Honor Julia Child James Beard Foundation's Len Pickell Pleads Guilty Technorati Tags: chefs food restaurants cooking branding non-profit foundations --> back to superchefblog |
posted by Juliette Rossant at 6/13/2005 03:33:00 PM
4 Comments:
How the mighty have fallen.
To me, the reason Len Pickell refused a salary was simple. He wanted to avoid all income taxes. By expensing everything, he never had to declare an income to NY sate or the IRS. The statements he wanted please people are bull. He wanted to hob nob with the "rich and famous" -pure and simple.
the media is amazing. Mr. Pickell never admitted to taking 1.1M at any time during the process. His lawyer stated there were approximately 30K for three years that were questionable. Just don't see how 90K becomes 1.1M??? Ah the power of the media to stretch the truth..
Pleading to a lesser charge does not mean a greater charge is untrue: it merely leaves the greater charge hanging without further pursuit by a prosectuor.
More positively, pleading guilty to a lesser charge saves the defendant, the courts, and the public (taxpayers) from an expensive trial.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home