One Enron Worker Acquitted, Five New Accused

On Wednesday a Houston jury justified a former Enron accountant but found five other defendants guilty of fraud and conspiracy.

The person excused is Sheila Kahanek.

The five fresh defendants are former Enron Vice President Dan Boyle and former Merrill Lynch bankers William Fuhs, Robert Furst, James A. Brown and Daniel Bayly. Brown and Boyle were also convicted of making false statements.

Prosecutors charged the defendants conspired to boost Enron's profit sheet through the bogus sale of three Nigerian power plant barges four years ago.

Defense attorneys argued their clients believed Merrill Lynch was taking a real risk by buying Enron's stake in the barges, making the deal a true sale.

Sentencing will take place in March.