There's a good chance that you're familiar with the National Lampoon's name, considering that the company has been behind some of the biggest comedies of all time: Vacation, Animal House, and that really crappy movie with Paris Hilton, just to name a few. Well, the man at the head of that company-- Daniel Laikin-- has just been sentenced to four years in prison for pulling some shenanigans with stock prices. Read on for the details, my gentle Examiner readers...
Back in the day, the National Lampoon used to be a powerhouse of a comedy institution. This was back when Animal House was still fresh in everyone's mind, when Chevy Chase was more than a supporting actor on an NBC sitcom that more people oughtta be watching, back when John Belushi wasn't the only living Belushi. These days, however, the company isn't doing the same kinda brand-name business that it used to, and the film offerings have been far from Animal House-levels of greatness (such as Pledge This!, starring Paris Hilton). In other words, the National Lampoon ain't what it used to be.
In more ways than one, it would seem. The company's CEO, Daniel Laikin, has just been sentenced to a prison stretch after engaging in some shenanigans with stock prices. Turns out, Laikin was conspiring to drive up the stock prices for his company and got caught. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Laikin plead guilty to the charges of conspiracy that the Feds leveled against him in exchange for some lesser charges (securities fraud, to be exact) being dropped. Apparently, Laikin was paying people to buy up shares of the company, which artificially inflated the value of the National Lampoon's stock. All this adds up to four years in a Federal penitentiary.
So, good luck on the inside, Daniel Laikin. Better not admit to anyone in there that you had anything to do with Pledge This; that's a good way to get shanked right in the face while in prison (don't ask how I know this). In honor of Laikin's jailing, let's take a look back at some of the best moments from Animal House-- because it's never a bad time to honor the memory of John Belushi:
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