Annan, Gates Seek Leniency for Gupta for Rajaratnam Tips

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-14/annan-gates-seek-leniency-for-gupta-for-rajaratnam-tips.html

Former United Nations Secretary- General Kofi Annan and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) Chairman Bill Gates were among the supporters seeking leniency for ex-Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) director Rajat Gupta when he is sentenced in 10 days for insider trading.

The letters, among more than 200 made public by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan, ask the judge to show mercy to Gupta, citing his lifetime of good deeds. Gupta is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 24 for leaking stock tips to Galleon Group LLC co-founder Raj Rajaratnam.

“I urge you to recognize Rajat for the good that he has done in this world, to give him the credit that he deserves for helping others, and to take into account his effort to improve the lives of millions of people,” Annan said of Gupta’s work to reform management of the UN.

“I wanted to add my voice to those of other friends and colleagues of Rajat Gupta who are writing to you in order to round out Rajat’s profile,” Gates said of Gupta’s service as chairman of an organization fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.


*** bet bill gates wouldn't write a letter for you if you were in trouble with the law.