Attorney General Seeks to have Enron Cited for Contempt of Court in Withholding Subpoenaed Documents from State Investigation

(SAN FRANCISCO) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer today asked the San Francisco Superior Court to hold Enron Corp. in contempt of court for failing to turn over documents sought in the state's investigation of power pricing practices related to the energy crisis in California.

"To date, Enron has produced only a single document," the court was told. "Enron clearly has no intention of complying fully with the Attorney General's subpoenas, which were issued months ago. Enron's refusal to produce the subpoenaed documents violates the terms of the court's first order and is contrary to law."

Enron and Enron Energy Services Inc. were served with subpoenas by the Attorney General in June and July 2001. Failing to receive documents being sought, the Attorney General obtained a court order on October 17, 2001, requiring Enron to comply.

The Attorney General today demanded that Enron stop stonewalling and cooperate in the California Department of Justice's investigation of the power company. The Attorney General further demanded assurances again from Enron that the documents being sought would not be shredded or otherwise destroyed in light of reports that the company's accounting firm has been destroying records. Enron was admonished a year ago by the Attorney General's office against destroying e-mails or other documents subpoenaed.

The San Francisco Superior Court ordered Enron to appear at a hearing February 20 to show cause why it should not be held in contempt.