Former Wal-Mart Exec To Face New Sentencing
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is reporting that a federal appeals court has upheld a decision ordering a new sentencing for former Wal-Mart executive Tom Coughlin.
In January of last year, Coughlin plead guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion, and admitted that he had stolen gift cards and equipment from his former employer. Despite facing a possible 28 years in prison and fines of over $1.3 million, Coughlin was let off relatively easily, primarily because it was argued that his detiorating health made prison time impossible. His initial sentence included 27 months of home detention and 33 months probation, plus fines and restitution adding up to approximately $460,000.
In August of this year, a 3-judge panel on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the argument that Coughlin’s health problems - a list including heart failure, diabetes, obesity and gout - could not be properly treated in prison, and ordered a new sentencing hearing. Prosecutors originally sought a sentence of at least 27 months, although it’s believed that request may be reduced to as little as 6 months.
Justices: Coughlin due new sentence [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]
A federal appeals court Wednesday upheld a decision ordering a new sentence for former Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executive Tom Coughlin on a 2006 fraud conviction.
The decision by the 8 th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis denied Coughlin’s request that the full court reconsider an August ruling by a three-judge panel stating Coughlin’s health problems don’t warrant a lenient sentence.
Coughlin, 59, is serving house arrest at his ranch home and cattle farm near Centerton, his attorneys have said. He wears an electronic ankle monitor and can leave only for doctor’s appointments and church, court records state.
Wednesday’s ruling by the St. Louis appeals court means Coughlin will return to U. S. District Judge Robert Dawson in Fort Smith for resentencing.
In August 2006, Dawson sentenced Coughlin to 27 months of home confinement and five years’ probation. The judge fined Coughlin $ 50, 000 and ordered him to pay more than $ 400, 000 in restitution, both of which Coughlin paid in full the next month.
In January 2006, Coughlin pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion, admitting he stole gift cards and equipment from the world’s largest retailer. He also falsified vouchers and invoices in order to pocket the cash.
A protege of company founder Sam Walton, Coughlin retired in 2005 as Wal-Mart’s No. 2 executive after 28 years with the company.
At sentencing, the U. S. attorney’s office asked for Coughlin to serve at least 27 months in prison. Dawson, however, sided with defense attorneys who said Coughlin has severe coronary disease and other ailments and was too ill for prison.
Prosecutors appealed, criticizing Dawson’s decision to depart from sentencing guidelines and saying in court documents he relied on “irrelevant” and “inappropriate” factors.
Dawson said Coughlin was an “exemplary citizen who had suffered significant ridicule as a result of his prosecution.” He said Coughlin suffered possibly the “greatest fall from grace in American history” and that his worst punishment may have already been meted out to him in the “worldwide exposure” he’d received.
Coughlin’s attorneys could ask for permission to appeal Wednesday’s ruling to the U. S. Supreme Court. They didn’t return calls Wednesday.
Spokesmen for the U. S. attorney’s office and for Wal-Mart declined comment.
Justices: Coughlin due new sentence [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette]
Ex-Wal-Mart Executive loses bid to prevent new sentencing hearing [CNNMoney.com]
Court: New sentence for Wal-Mart exec [Associated Press via USA Today]
Posted by Corey Himrod on Friday, November 02, 2007
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COMMENTS
“With Liberty and Justice for All.”
“He said Coughlin suffered possibly the “greatest fall from grace in American history”
Oh really? Perhaps Dawson can’t recall Oral (I need to raise $8 million or God will kill me) Roberts, Jimmy (I’ll take that hooker in the red dress) Swaggart, or that Mother Of All Falls… Richard ("I am not a crook") M. Nixon.
Prosecutors originally sought a sentence of at least 27 months, although it’s believed that request may be reduced to as little as 6 months.
Don’t like the verdict you get in a U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals in another state? Simple. Just go back to your home state for a more favorable ruling.
Too bad all the poor we have locked up in this country, those same poor who most likely grew up without a father, who lived in poverty all their lives and perhaps stole something just to put food on the table [here’s where you can expect RDS to interject… “just to buy drugs"] can’t get a deal like Coughlin wants.
ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Saturday, November 03 at 10:39 AM
Screwedby,
“perhaps stole something just to put food on the table”
Nice try, defending shoplifters, but the fact is, MOST shoplifters could afford to buy the things they stole!! You are trying to put lipstick on a pig!! I would bet, that more clothing is stole, than food for the table!!
RDS in
Saturday, November 03 at 12:22 PM
And As Far As Wal-Mart is Concerned...
“You are trying to put lipstick on a pig!!” ~RDS
And you, with your incessant lame defenses of Wal-Mart, are trying to roll a big horse turd in powdered sugar! That doesn’t make it a doughnut.
ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Saturday, November 03 at 04:12 PM
“His initial sentence included 27 months of home detention and 33 months probation, plus fines and restitution adding up to approximately $460,000.”
Tom Coughlin got off easy-
Try being accused and never convicted of stealing from WalMart on a hot day.
WalMart- We kill petty theft suspects.
Stacy Driver in WalMart Public Relations
Saturday, November 03 at 04:51 PM
someones putting lipstick on RDS
jerry in
Saturday, November 03 at 07:46 PM
10,000 more UAW workers to hit the bricks soon from Chrysler. guess high union wages gets you unemployment sooner or later.
jerry in
Monday, November 05 at 12:46 AM
The Glass is Always Half Empty, Right jerry?
Look at the bright side! Now these “10,000 workers” will be able to “Save More and Live Better” by shopping at Wal-Mart.
ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Monday, November 05 at 08:17 AM
Screwedby,
Since those workers will only be getting an unemployment check instead of their usual $924.00 a week, Wal-Mart might be more in their range!! Maybe they will come down to earth and will start to see how the other half lives!!
I learned years ago, that tomorrow will not always be ‘sunny’, so you have to prepare for those ‘rainy’ days!! I prefer to buy an unbrella, and put some cash aside, than a 60” T.V.!! I suggest you go to FEEDTHEPIG.ORG to see what I’m talking about!!
RDS in
Monday, November 05 at 11:05 AM
SCREWED, they can also apply there ,and save 10% off some of the cheap crap they buy( LIVE WELL LIVE BETTER)
JOE in
Monday, November 05 at 11:17 AM
I learned years ago, that tomorrow will not always be ‘sunny’, so you have to prepare* for those ‘rainy’ days!!
RDS in
Monday, November 05 at 12:05 PM
I could while away the hours
Conferrin’ with the flowers
Consultin’ with the rain*
And my head, I’d be scratchin’
While my thoughts were busy hatchin’
If I only had a brain.
ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Monday, November 05 at 12:43 PM
I learned years ago, that tomorrow will not always be ‘sunny’, so you have to prepare* for those ‘rainy’ days!! ~ RDS
“the grasshopper knew it was best to prepare for the days of necessity.” Aesop
<-----grabs the wheel and (((swerves))) back on topic:
I almost feel sorry for Tom Coughlin. A good ol’ boy caught in the jaws of the Beast of Bentonville. I don’t doubt a bit what he did would have been winked at in Sam’s day.
Before I get too weepy here, I never was comfortable with the idea he was too sick to go to prison. I don’t think we want to get that started. Plus, no matter what, Tom will still be filthy rich when he gets out.
Ken V in Texas
Monday, November 05 at 03:48 PM
Screwedby,
“I could while away the hours
Conferrin’ with the flowers
Consultin’ with the rain*
And my head, I’d be scratchin’
While my thoughts were busy hatchin’
If I only had a brain.”
Nice post about yourself and your way of thinking!! Just follow the yellow brick road Scarecrow Tom and maybe the Wizard, will give you one!! Remember, to you, “Personal Responsibility”, is a ‘wacko’ concept!!
RDS in
Tuesday, November 06 at 12:31 AM
Screwed:Perhaps RDS should read PRDS-Personal Responsibility D S -PRDS-the PR could also signify the “spin” he always does on his alleged “superior” load bearing(workload) capacities.It has been my experience that when someone pats themselves on the back that much,they must have one hell of a sore shoulder from the reacharound !
ddrb in
Tuesday, November 06 at 09:28 PM
ddrb,
I just feel it is better to point out accomplishments, than to cry about not getting your way - ‘Boo Hoo, they built a Wal-Mart next to me, I hate them, oh, poor me’, Whaaaa!!
RDS in
Wednesday, November 07 at 12:28 AM
There’s Merit to What You Say, ddrb!
Then again, as illustrated by RDS’s last comment, perhaps PRDS could stand for Permanently Retarded Dumb Shit.
ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Wednesday, November 07 at 09:03 AM
Screwedby,
How clever, you sound like my ten year old grandson, he does that with initials too and then snickers, like he just did something great!!
BTW: How’s that Field Producer thing working out for you?
RDS in
Wednesday, November 07 at 11:11 AM
Smart Kid!
“How clever, you sound like my ten year old grandson...” ~RDS
Would he be the same grandson who told you, “‘Move into the 21st Century, will ya.’!!”
RDS in
Saturday, July 07, 2007 at 11:22 PM
It’s sad when a ten year old has a better handle on reality than you do, RDS.
ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Wednesday, November 07 at 12:04 PM
Tom Boese is so NOT 21st century up there in Wisco.
Boo! in
Wednesday, November 07 at 02:03 PM
Boo Who?
ScrewedbyWal-Mart in Anytown, America
Wednesday, November 07 at 10:58 PM
Boo-hoo, Screwed is crying, because he knows he’s wrong!
:-p in
Thursday, November 08 at 09:43 AM
Boo! in: Yoo-hoo! Who, Boo??
ddrb in
Thursday, November 08 at 05:30 PM
Now here’s an example where Mary’s statement on another comment section is very apropos-"No bailouts. Let the greedy ....rise or fall on their own merits(I’m paraphrasing,here.) For once, I couldn’t agree more . Hope he gets what SHOULD have been coming to him in the first place-and then some ,for general principle,and good measure.Ho,Ho,Ho-to prison he will go!!
ddrb in
Sunday, November 11 at 03:28 PM
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