Wife of Ex-Enron Exec to Go on Trial

HOUSTON -- A federal judge on Tuesday denied a request by the wife of former Enron Corp. chief financial officer Andrew Fastow to postpone her trial until after his, ruling Lea Fastow will face trial in January for her involvement in the disgraced energy company, The Associated Press reported.

Lea Fastow was indicted April 30 on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and four counts of filing a false income tax return. Her trial was initially set for July 8, but U.S. District Judge David Hittner on Tuesday set jury selection for Jan. 27, 2004.

Hittner wrote that he was concerned about the "prospect of delaying Mrs. Fastow's trial for an indefinite amount of time" to wait for her husband to be adjudicated. Andrew Fastow's trial is expected to begin no earlier than next spring.

Lea Fastow's attorneys sought the delay because her husband has indicated he could offer testimony to defend his wife, but only if his own criminal proceedings were finished. Hittner said that argument was not persuasive.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 06/25/03