Fraud leads to ill-gotten gain

To the editor:

Almost daily there appears in the news fraudulent means of obtaining large sums of money either by big corporations or by individuals. Such actions seldom escape punishment.

Enron, possibly one of the largest corporations, has been found guilty of manipulating and acts such as that. What do you suppose former chief executive Jeffrey Skilling thinks he has gained from the path he chose? No good ever results from such actions. He must be aware of that by now.

It is sometimes easy to be lured into taking the wrong step concerning the investment of stock, especially when it concerns a large enterprise where you know nothing about it running.

Martha Stewart has been seen often on television for her role with stockbroker Peter Bacanovic after they were accused of lying pertaining to the sale of Stewart's Imclone stock. Surely such an act cannot bring her the joy and contentment she once felt.

A woman in Jackson recently was found guilty of making credit-card purchases in the name of a deceased woman using her charge card. The deceased, I am sure, is happier than the woman who used her money by means of fraud.

Judgment Day is just around the corner. You can stuff your coffin with money, but it won't do you a bit of good where you are going.

PAULA E. KEMPE

Cape Girardeau