A milestone in the Enron story

Andrew Fastow returns to Houston to complete prison sentence in halfway house

Andrew Fastow, before his sentencing in 2006

A new chapter in the Enron saga began in Houston on Monday when Andrew Fastow, one of the key figures in the flawed financial partnerships that brought the energy company down in 2001, returned to Houston to complete his federal incarceration in a halfway house.

A reliable source has told CultureMap that the former Enron chief financial officer arrived in the city via "private transport" within the past 24 hours from the Federal Correctional Complex in Pollock, La. The main prison's satellite camp, where Fastow was held, houses minimum security male offenders.

He has taken residence in a halfway house where he will finish the remainder of five years and three months of a six-year sentence that was originally 10 years, the maximum penalty for his admission to two conspiracy charges. The reduced sentence was part of a plea bargain that Fastow made in 2004 in which he agreed to testify in the trial against Enron top executives Jeff Skilling and Ken Lay.

Fastow was taken into custody in September 2006 for six years of imprisonment and two additional years at home under court supervision. That sentence was reduced to five years and three months, due to "good time" according to the source, which means that he will be able to leave the halfway house by the end of the year.

The source said that while no occupational assignment has yet been made for Fastow, he is subject to the requirements of all individuals in this situation.

Fastow's sentencing and early release stands in sharp contrast to that of Jeff Skilling, former Enron president who was convicted of multiple felony charges relating to Enron's financial collapse, who is currently serving a 24-year, four-month sentence.

Lay, who was convicted of multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy, died in 2006 of heart disease before he was sentenced.

Fastow will not be the first high-profile federal prisoner to complete his sentence in a Houston halfway house. When oilman Oscar Wyatt, who pled guilty to sending money to Iraq in the Food for Oil program, was released from federal prison in Beaumont in 2008, he spent 45 days in a downtown Houston halfway house and was assigned to work in a local law firm. At the time, his attorney said that Wyatt was allowed an increasing number of freedoms as his release date approached. One can expect the same for Fastow.

Once released from federal custody Fastow will rejoin his wife, art consultant Lea Weingarten Fastow, and their two sons. Lea Fastow served a one-year sentence ending in July 2005 for failure to report Enron-related financial gains on federal income tax returns. She also resided in a Houston halfway house before returning to her family.

At the time of the convictions, the Fastows relinquished close to $30 million in cash and property.

Fastow's attorney, David Gerger, could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday night.

unspecified

a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cattle exhibition

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The money supports studies in fields such as animal husbandry.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its annual tradition of breaking its own record when it comes to educational endowments. On Giving Tuesday, the organization pledged to disburse $30,353,380 in 2026 in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding.

“This milestone moment of reaching $30 million in a single year highlights the Rodeo’s unwavering dedication to Texas youth and education,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “Thanks to our loyal donors, sponsors, more than 36,000 volunteers and dedicated attendees, 2026 will reach historic heights in supporting the next generation of leaders, agricultural professionals and organizations that share the Rodeo’s mission.”

This brings the total of education funding provided by the Rodeo since 1932 up to $660 million. Last year's $28 million commitment also set a new record.

One innovation this year is the establishment of the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, a program that expands on the relationship with 68 Texas counties through the Area Go Texan affiliate program. One student from each county will receive $6,000 toward a degree or certificate in a vocational field at a Texas nonprofit college or university. Another $500,000 in vocational scholarships will awarded to 10 schools in 2026. Guidelines for applying can be found at this link.

In total, the Rodeo will hand out $15,126,000 in scholarships, $11,273,500 to junior exhibitors, $3,430,880 in grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships. Grants will be awarded to 82 Texas institutions and organizations, such as Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Money for the annual endowment is raised through the annual auctions, sales of livestock and art, and through charitable donations. The goal of the endowment program is to promote study and research in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields that directly benefit the Rodeo.

The Rodeo is scheduled to run from March 2 – 22, 2026. More information on performers, attractions, and vendors can be found at RodeoHouston.com. Scholarship applications are open through February 2, with funds being awarded in summer 2026.

rodeohouston houston livestock show and rodeo