Skilling says government ignored, misrepresented facts about Enron

HOUSTON — Former Enron Corp. Chief Executive Jeffrey Skilling struggled to hold his temper Thursday at being pegged a liar and a crook by federal prosecutors, telling jurors in his criminal trial that he was devastated the company he cherished had become a symbol for scandal.

“I think they have purposely not looked at facts they should have looked at if they wanted to come to a more balanced and accurate conclusion,” Skilling declared with a hardened gaze and a stiff jaw.

His comments came as defense lawyer Daniel Petrocelli led him through the government’s indictment, which accuses him of minimizing bad news in 2001 so that investors and Wall Street would remain bullish on failing Enron ventures in broadband and retail energy.

Skilling wrapped up a week of testimony that he used to swipe at the prosecution’s case that he and Enron founder Kenneth Lay masterminded a fraud that led to one of the biggest business scandals in U.S. history.

After a week of calm, measured denials, Skilling on Thursday angrily attacked the government’s case. Jurors were taking notes even in his most heated moments.

Skilling almost took over the questioning, interrupting when Petrocelli said, “Let’s go on to the next sentence” in the indictment, with a tense, “Yes, let’s go on to the next sentence.”