Martha Stewart jail sentence: When and why did she go to prison?
Find out what Martha had to say about her time behind bars
FOR five decades Martha Stewart has been known as America’s ultimate homemaker.
However, some fans may be shocked to know that she has done jail time – something she discusses in her self-titled Netflix documentary.
Martha Stewart’s billion-dollar empire suffered a major blow when she found herself on the wrong side of the law.
On June 4, 2003, the TV star was indicted for nine counts of securities fraud and obstruction of justice.
It came after Martha was accused of insider trading when she sold $230K worth of ImClone shares, one day before the FDA rejected the company’s cancer drug Erbitux.
The stock price dropped significantly after the announcement.
Guilty verdict
On March 5, 2004, Martha was found guilty of one count of conspiracy, one count of obstruction of justice, and two counts of making false statements to a federal investigator.
Along with her sentence, she agreed to a five-year ban from serving as a director, CEO, CFO, or in any other officer role responsible for preparing, auditing, or disclosing financial results of any public company.
The celebrity chef was also ordered to pay a fine of $30,000.
Martha has always maintained her innocence on all the charges she was convicted of, and that she did know the FDA was going to reject the ImClone cancer drug Erbitux.
Martha’s reaction to the verdict
Regarding the verdict, the lifestyle guru told her fans via her website: “I am obviously distressed by the jury’s verdict but I take comfort in knowing that I have done nothing wrong and that I have the enduring support of my family and friends.
“I will appeal the verdict and continue to fight to clear my name.
“I believe in the fairness of the judicial system and remain confident that I will ultimately prevail.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the words of encouragement I have received from thousands of supporters.
“It is your continued support that will keep me going until I am completely exonerated.”
During her 2004 interview with Barbara Walters for ABC’s 20/20, Martha further defended her innocence, saying, “I didn’t cheat the little people.
It (prison) was horrifying, and no one — no one — should have to go through that kind of indignity… It’s a horrible experience. Nothing is good about it, nothing.
Martha Stewart
“We’re all little people. I didn’t cheat anybody out of anything.
“I had hoped for, at the most, some confinement, community service.”
While comparing herself to Nelson Mandela, she added: “But it could have been worse. Five months versus 10 months or 16 months…that’s a good thing.
“There are many, many good people who have gone to prison…look at Nelson Mandela.”
Prison time
On October 4, 2004, Martha began her five-month prison sentence at Federal Prison Camp, Alderson in West Virginia.
On March 4, 2005, the professional homemaker was released from FPCA.
I was a strong person to start with and thank heavens I was. And I can still hold my head up high and know that I’m fine.
Martha Stewart
Years following her prison stint, the TV personality opened up about her jail experience on The Today Show.
“It was horrifying, and no one — no one — should have to go through that kind of indignity, really, except for murderers, and there are a few other categories,” Martha shared with Katie Couric.
“But no one should have to go through that. It’s a very, very awful thing.
“It’s a horrible experience. Nothing is good about it, nothing.
“One thing I do not ever want is to be identified by that…I don’t want that to be the major thing of my life. It’s just not fair.
“It’s not a good experience and it doesn’t make you stronger.
“I was a strong person to start with and thank heavens I was. And I can still hold my head up high and know that I’m fine.”