Reuters
Enron trial puts onetime Bush backer in spotlight
Jan 30, 2006
http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-01-30T190828Z_01_N30299847_RTRIDST_0_ENRON-TRIAL-BUSH.XMLWASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The start of the Enron trial on Monday puts the spotlight on former chief Ken Lay, a fundraiser of millions of dollars for George W. Bush who earned the presidential nickname "Kenny boy."
Before Enron's collapse, Lay had a long personal and professional relationship with the Bush family that began well back in the 1980s.
George W. Bush was elected governor of Texas in 1994. Lay served on his Governor's Business Council, which helped push the Bush legislative agenda, and began being a major source of campaign funds for the governor.
By 1999, Enron Corp. had given Bush more than $550,000, making it his No. 1 career patron, according to the Center of Public Integrity, which keeps track of such numbers.