Martha Stewart's Last Days of Freedom

Posted on October 4, 2004

Martha Stewart has spent her last days as a free woman enjoying the sand and surf in the Bahamas. The 63 year-old former CEO of Martha Stewart Omnimedia, bestselling author and style maven must report to a prison in Alderson, West Virginia by 2:00 pm Friday to serve time for her conviction of lying to federal investigators. Ms. Stewart's request to serve her time in Danbury, Connecticut -- so that her 90 year-old mother could visit her -- was denied.

Although Ms. Stewart was not charged with insider trading in connection with the sale of her Imclone stock, she was convicted of lying to investigators during the investigation, a very unusual -- and some might say politically motivated -- course of action.

People reports that Martha has been told to watch her back in prison. There is reportedly a staffing shortage at the prison that could make it more difficult to protect a high-profile inmate like Martha.