The former British bankers known as the ‘Natwest Three’ must wait for another 12 months before they are tried over allegations of fraud linked to collapsed energy firm Enron.
In a preliminary hearing in Houston on Wednesday, a judge said the trial will take place on September 4 2007. He originally set it for February 5 but the date was rejected by the three men’s lawyers who said they needed at least 12 months to prepare their case.
The judge also refused demands that he should step down from the case over claims of a conflict of interest. He previously had links with law firm Vinson & Elkins which helped Enron create the off-shore investment vehicles that led to the Natwest Three’s indictment.
During a separate hearing, Magistrate Judge Stephen Smith ruled that the electronic tags currently worn by the three men can be removed despite government demands they should be put under house arrest. Prosecutors objected and another judge later reimposed the restrictions saying a final decision would be made by the end of this week.
Giles Darby, David Bermingham and Gary Mulgrew are accused of defrauding Natwest Bank, now part of Royal Bank of Scotland, of around £3.7m in a deal with Enron. The men’s extradition to the US earlier this year led to controversy over the fact that it took place under the terms of a treaty which the UK but not the US has signed
