Media coverage of reversal of Olis sentence

The media has picked up on Fifth Circuit’s decision late yesterday to reverse the 24-year federal sentence of former Dynegy executive Jamie Olis (which I discussed here late last night).  The Houston Chronicle has this basic account, and this Bloomberg news story provides a lot more background about the case.  Also, the blogosphere continues to cover the Fifth Circuit’s decision very well: in addition to Tom Kirkendall’s comments here (which have engedered interesting reader comments), you can now get thoughtful takes from Larry Ribstein here and from Ellen Podgor here.

In the Bloomberg story, I am reminded that two other “former Dynegy employees, Gene Foster and Helen Sharkey, pleaded guilty to reduced charges in exchange for five-year sentences.”  I suspect that these sentences will serve as notable benchmarks in what should be a very interesting Booker resentencing.  I can imagine the government will argue that Olis should not get a sentence less than these other defendants who pleaded guilty, and it seems likely the district judge will be mindful of such comparative sentencing realities when conducting Booker analysis.