By George Anderson

Martha Stewart and her legal counsel have to be asking themselves, “With friends and business associates like Sharon Patrick, who needs enemies?”

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Ms. Stewart plans to argue at her sentencing hearing on federal securities convictions that sending her to jail would lead to layoffs
of up to 500 employees at her company.

Ms. Patrick, chief executive of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia said, “Our consumers remain stalwart. Our research shows that magazine subscribers, in particular, were unfazed
by the verdict immediately afterward and remain so roughly six weeks later.”

Hardly sounds as if layoffs are forthcoming.

Moderator’s Comment: What are your thoughts on the Martha Stewart’s sentencing argument as described in the Wall Street
Journal?

To give Sharon Patrick a break, what is she supposed to say? The company will go down the drink if Martha goes to jail. Ms. Patrick is mindful she has a
company to run, regardless of what happens in the courtroom. –
George Anderson – Moderator

• Report: Martha Stewart to argue jail may hurt jobs – Reuters/USA
  Today
• Martha Stewart Team To Base Leniency Plea On Risk of Layoffs – Wall Street
  Journal