Jeffrey

In a tense and at times angry cross-examination Tuesday, federal prosecutor Sean Berkowitz pressed ex-Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling about his involvement in the alleged accounting fraud at the former energy giant. However, Skilling, who argued with the prosecutor and at one point flashed his well-known temper, denied he was ever involved in any alleged schemes and remained adamant about his innocence.

Former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling last week accused the government of trying to “rewrite history” and pin the blame for the company’s collapse on “innocent people.” Skilling, who spent four days on the witness stand defending himself, said he is “absolutely innocent” of the 28 criminal charges against him and will fight to prove his innocence “until the day I die.”

After spending four days on the witness stand defending himself, former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling finally appeared to have had enough on Thursday. He angrily accused the government of “rewriting history” and of trying to pin the blame for the company’s collapse on “innocent people.”

Former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling said Wednesday that he and company founder Kenneth Lay were a “good team” that never knowingly broke the law. On a day in which he defended himself against 28 fraud and conspiracy charges, Skilling claimed he “was aware of no illegal activity occurring at Enron” while he served as the company’s COO, president and CEO.

Former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling, more animated and at times testy on his second day in the witness chair, Tuesday said the ex-Enron executives who testified that he manipulated earnings and lied to investors were not telling the truth. Skilling also deflected responsibility for the content of Enron’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings and earnings releases, telling jurors he was often the last person to see them before they were issued.

Former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling, appearing somewhat humbled but still confident, declared Monday the 28 criminal charges against him “are wrong.” Speaking to a packed courtroom with his family in the front row, he told jurors, “I am innocent of those charges, and I will fight those charges until the day I die.”

Former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling used to have a lot of trouble keeping his mouth shut. Known for being brash, opinionated and at times foul-mouthed, he used to boast that Enron would be the world’s largest company. However, since resigning in August 2001, Skilling has been mostly silent, seen more often in the gossip pages for his public behavior than talking about the charges against him. Next week, however, he will tell his side of the story.

Dozens of journalists from around the country waited in Houston Thursday for ex-Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling to take the stand in his defense. The wait proved long and ultimately, futile. Skilling now is expected to begin his testimony on Monday.

Defense witnesses for Enron Corp. founder Kenneth Lay and ex-CEO Jeffrey Skilling on Tuesday continued to refute claims by government witnesses, attempting to cast doubt about whether layoffs were actually reassigned and whether international assets were in poor shape, as the prosecution claims. Skilling is expected to take the stand in his defense within the next two days.