Skilling v. U.S.

Case Updates

The Supreme Court held that a mail fraud statute enacted in 1988 criminalizes only schemes to defraud that involve bribes or kickbacks.

NCLC urged the Supreme Court to hold that a mail-fraud statute enacted in 1988 is unconstitutionally vague. Jeffrey Skilling, a former executive at Enron, was convicted for allegedly depriving Enron employees and shareholders of “honest services.” In its brief, NCLC argued that Section 1346 does not clearly explain what it means to deprive another of “honest services.” NCLC also cautioned that the vague fraud statute deters legitimate business dealings.