An earlier version of this story identified the judge presiding over the Enron case as Simeon Rice III. His last name is Lake.
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Skilling Never Meddled in Enron Earning Reports, Witness Says
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But Hueston said Vinson & Elkins did not have the expertise to adequately investigate the complex Raptor and Condor off-balance-sheet transactions that Arthur Andersen eventually flagged.
Hueston asked why Derrick did not instruct Vinson & Elkins to request certain e-mails and documents and interview Enron employees the government believes were essential to the probe.
"This wasn't our investigation," Derrick said.
Derrick said that neither Skilling or Enron founder Kenneth Lay, who is facing six fraud charges and is scheduled to take the stand after Skilling, ordered any of the earnings reports to be doctored to appear more favorable. Skilling also did not overrule Arthur Andersen and Vinson & Elkins, Derrick said, to change the reports.
Skilling did not act like a man with something to hide, Derrick said.
"Did you ever hear Mr. Skilling make the dramatic admission, 'They're on to us?' when your office was just 20 feet away from his?" defense lawyer Mark Holscher asked, referring to testimony from a previous prosecution witness.
"No," Derrick said, "I did not."
Skilling and Petrocelli briefly appeared before the media outside of the federal courthouse during the lunch break. Petrocelli took most questions, at one point saying, "I will speak for" Skilling.
When someone asked Skilling, "When will you speak for yourself?" Skilling smiled and answered, "Soon enough."
Petrocelli eventually deferred to Skilling, who allowed he'd "rather being doing something else" than facing federal fraud charges, but that he looks forward to telling his story soon.
Staff writer Carrie Johnson contributed to this report.
