Tex. Paper Seeks to Unseal Enron Hearing

HOUSTON -- The Houston Chronicle is asking a federal judge to unseal the transcript of a closed hearing last week in the criminal case of former Enron Corp. finance chief Andrew Fastow, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.

Fastow, two other former Enron executives charged in a 109-count indictment, and their attorneys were called to a July 28 status hearing in their case in the chambers of U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt.

Neither the judge nor the attorneys indicated the proceeding would be closed and the hearing was noted on Hoyt's docket of public hearings for that day. A court reporter attended the private hearing and produced a transcript that was sealed.

Hoyt issued no rulings or orders after the private hearing and none of the attorneys would comment on what had been discussed.

The Chronicle has asked for a hearing to argue in favor of unsealing the transcript so the discussions become part of the public record in Fastow's case. Hoyt has yet to respond to the request.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 8/5/03