Delay Granted in Lay’s Bank Fraud Trial

Former Enron Corp. Chairman Kenneth L. Lay won’t have to stand trial on bank fraud charges before he is tried in the larger fraud and conspiracy case stemming from Enron’s collapse.

U.S. District Judge Sim Lake in Houston granted Lay’s request to schedule the bank fraud trial during deliberations in the broader case, which is scheduled to start in January. Lay’s lawyer said an early trial on the banking charges would increase the risk of juror bias in the larger case.