JURIST - Paper Chase: UK Enron bankers seek delay in US trial to allow search for new lawyers

[JURIST] Two British men who face fraud charges in the US related to the Enron scandal [JURIST news archive] are searching for new lawyers, according to papers filed Monday by counsel for a third British man also facing trial. The trial date for the three former NatWest [corporate website] bankers is set for September 11, but the men claim they will not be ready for trial at that time due to the search for counsel. The UK citizens lost an extradition fight [JURIST report] earlier this month and each faces seven counts of wire fraud [indictment, PDF] for allegedly entering into a secret agreement with former Enron Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow [Chronicle profile] to illegally receive money.

Lawyers for Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby initially represented the men but withdrew shortly after a bond proceeding, as agreed upon by the former British bankers. A lawyer for David Bermingham, who rounds out the trio, filed documents in court Monday to petition for a rescheduled trial. US Magistrate Judge Stephen Smith is expected to consider the issue at a hearing Tuesday. The men have all been living in the US since July 13 on a $1 million bond that requires their presence in the US pending trial. AP has more.

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