Sentence in Coke case is the real thing

“This is the kind of offense that cannot be tolerated in our society.” So decreed federal judge J. Owen Forrester in sentencing Joya Williams to eight years in prison for her role in a plot to steal trade secrets from Coca-Cola. He actually gave the former Coke secretary a stiffer sentence than prosecutors recommended—by about two years! “The guidelines as they are written don’t begin to approach the seriousness of this case,” the judge blustered. Well, the trial was held in the beverage giant’s hometown of Atlanta, so what else could we expect? A co-defendant got five years. Sure, they deserve to be punished, but that gavel came down mighty hard. What are the chances of recidivism here? Is anyone worried they’re going to sell Snapple’s recipe to Lipton? (The secret ingredient is tea, right?) A third defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy and awaits sentencing. He should be plenty worried: Coke’s happiness factory guards itself zealously, and to the full extent of the law. Photo by moogs .

—Posted by David Gianatasio

May 24, 2007 | Permalink