Enron's Ex-CFO's Wife in Plea Talks

HOUSTON -- Former Enron assistant treasurer Lea Fastow, the wife of the company's indicted former chief financial officer Andrew Fastow, is negotiating a plea bargain that would send her to prison for five or more months, according to a published report.

The Houston Chronicle, citing sources it did not identify, said in an article on its Web site Thursday evening that Lea Fastow could appear in court as early as next week to plead guilty and accept a prison term that could begin immediately.

The deal is being discussed and needs the approval of U.S. Justice Department prosecutors on the Enron Task Force, Lea Fastow and her lawyers and U.S. District Judge David Hittner.

Fastow is due to be the first ex-Enron executive to be tried, with a Feb. 10 trial date in Hittner's court. She pleaded not guilty May 1 to a six-count indictment accusing her of filing false income tax returns and conspiring to launder money and commit wire fraud in her husband's dealings.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 11/7/03