[wordup] The Women of Enron

[Adam Shand]

Via: Brett Shand <brett at earthlight.co.nz>
From: http://www.usatoday.com/money/energy/enron/2002-03-26-enron-playboy.htm

Playboy plans 'Women of Enron' issue
03/26/2002 - Updated 02:41 PM ET

HOUSTON (Reuters) — For those who said that all the Enron scandal lacked
was sex, the wait is almost over.

Playboy, the men's magazine famous for its centerfolds, is planning a
photo spread titled the "Women of Enron" to showcase current and former
employees of the ruined Houston energy company.

The magazine says the open call for models is a second chance for Enron
employees who may have lost their jobs as the one-time Wall Street
darling plummeted into the largest U.S. bankruptcy in history.

"We're looking at this as something fun for them to do while they're
looking for another job. This might even turn into a modeling career for
them," Playboy spokeswoman Elizabeth Norris said.

Enron's impenetrable financial statements, which hid billions in debt
and mounting losses, have brought calls for better disclosure. But none
like this, a spokeswoman said.

"They're taking transparency to a whole new level," Enron spokeswoman
Karen Denne joked.

Norris declined to say how much Playboy would pay the models but did say
the women would be able to choose how much flesh they bare. Generally,
Playboy pays more for less clothing.

Interested models are asked to send a recent full-figure photo of
themselves in a bikini, along with a headshot.

"We'd like to run it as soon as we can," Norris said, adding that the
magazine is aiming for late-summer publication.

Playboy, the flagship unit of Playboy Enterprises, has never shied from
running pictorials of women involved in scandals. Paula Jones, who sued
former president Bill Clinton on charges of sexual harassment, took it
off, as did Jessica Hahn, mistress of disgraced televangelist Jim
Bakker.

And a "Women of Andersen" issue, showcasing employees of Enron's now
critically wounded auditor, is not out of the question.

"We haven't ruled it out, and we'll see how this goes," Norris said.

Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited.