I read "Fiorini's Maine vacation approved" (Aug. 31) about George Fiorini's vacation before sentencing with interest that turned to anger. Have our courts no shame? Have the judges no conscience?

Martha Stewart was treated like public enemy No. 1 for breaking rules, but not stealing from other people. Now Fiorini, who has been convicted of fraud, tax evasion and theft, is given time for a vacation with friends in Maine before he is sentenced. He defrauded people to the tune of $5 million, all of which ends up costing not only the people he defrauded, but also the general population.

What are they thinking? Criminals don't deserve such consideration - or at least the average, run-of-the-mill criminal wouldn't.

Joyce Rudowski
Montgomery

Criminals go to prison, not on holiday

I almost dropped my coffee cup when I read "Fiorini's Maine vacation approved" (Aug. 31). When criminals are convicted, the only place they should go is to prison, not on vacation. I can understand why many people have no faith in our judicial system when things like this are allowed to happen.

Let George Fiorini wait until after his prison time and after he has made complete restitution before he takes vacation.

Cletus J. Holtgrefe
Mason

There's no place for Allen on UC board

Three things:

• Mike Allen is a disgrace to the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees, a disgrace to Hamilton County and a disgrace to all working women and men who value justice.

• Cincinnatians do not want to pay the untold thousands for the lawsuit for which he himself is responsible.

• Allen must resign as a UC trustee and as county prosecutor. His behavior in the past and present has affected all of us and will affect his ability to carry out his job.

Bruce Bernard
Clifton

Don't blame victim wronged in workplace

In the Enquirer's Aug. 31 editorial on Mike Allen, you ask of the woman accusing him of sexual harassment, "Why didn't she leave the office?" It takes a lot of courage for an employee being harassed by her supervisor to stay on the job. Don't blame the victim of workplace discrimination for having to choose between unemployment and going along to get along.

Employees have the right to say, "Stop harassing me and let me do my job." If she does quit, how will she honestly explain to a prospective employer why she left her prestigious job after a short time? Who will give her a glowing enough reference to land a new job?

If she does quit, the law offers some help. Under Ohio law, if the employer makes her working conditions so intolerable that the harassed employee is forced to quit, the employer becomes just as liable for her lost pay and damages as if the employer had fired her. But litigation can take years.

Jennifer L. Branch
Kennedy Heights

Collins could have stopped Allen sooner

If Mike Allen did, in fact, seduce Rebecca Collins, one would wonder why. Did she in some way lead him to believe that she was available? If he forced himself upon her, why did she tolerate this action even once let alone for 31/2 years?

Had she really wanted to rebuff him, she had ample time, or was she just using this so-called affair to further her career? Both parties in this affair are equally responsible, and we should stop all of the publicity and concentrate on more important things in our city.

Leslie Redman
Mount Washington

Cincinnati should copy Philadelphia

"Philadelphia wants to go wireless. The plan would also eliminate a digital divide between rich and poor and enhance the city's image as a technological leader." (Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 2, 2004). Cincinnati's city leaders should be looking into this as well. They need to be innovative and find the money to make this happen. For once let's prove Mark Twain wrong and be in the forefront of something (anything!) instead of waiting several years and then deciding to act. This could potentially go a long way in revitalizing our great city.

Ann Saylor
Colerain Township