Replies

Women I've talked to about this think she's getting railroaded because: 1. she's a woman; 2. she's not a blue-blooded woman; 3. she's an easy target; 4. she's involved in "women's work."

It's possible that Stewart is being made an example by prosecutors, a la Leona Helmsley, but there's no way I, as a woman, will believe it is because she bakes cookies and makes lovely centerpieces. While her buddy Waksal is the real scoundrel who passed on inside info to a select bunch of friends, it's possible that Martha acted on that info by dumping her stock (although it's also possible, as she claims, she already had a "sell" order in with broker).

Martha already has a reputation as a prickley, imperious person who thinks she's above the law (ask her neighbors), and that doesn't help.

although it's also possible, as she claims, she already had a "sell" order in with broker).

The "order" she claims to have placed is TOTALLY bogus. She said she had a "verbal" sell-stop order at 60. There is no such thing.

If a customer gives me a stop order, I have to get it on the books. It is totally unrealistic for any broker to watch a stock 24/7 for it to hit the stop price, and THEN enter the order. That just isn't done.

IF I had a stop order in, and it sold for 2 points below the stop, any customer would be FURIOUS. That kind of difference between the stop price, and the price at which it it sells is next to impossible.

Martha knows all of this. She thought she was smarter than those investigating. She also thought her celebrity would make it go away.

I hope she pays BIG TIME.