In fact, parents could be checking their local listings for the new t.v. program ratings as soon as January. In Washington, I'm Cynthia Ingle for Marketplace. He was labeled by prosecutors the most notorious swindler in the savings and loan debacle. Now Charles Keating, Jr. is free, after a federal judge in Los Angeles threw out the racketeering, conspiracy and fraud convictions of the former head of Lincoln Savings and Loan. The judge said the federal jury was tainted, because some members were aware of Keating's previous conviction on state charges.
Prosecutors can appeal the decision, attempt a new trial, or give up.
Keating's state conviction was also overturned earlier this year. Members of the Keating family were said to be pleased by the ruling. That's not the word being used by people who lost money in the Lincoln collapse. Tom Shelly is a spokesman for many of the 23-thousand victims. Shelly rejects interpretations that dilute the blame he places on Keating, especially the argument that the government was also responsible because it failed to police Lincoln properly.