Hearings to Probe Enron, Discuss Reforms

This week, a full slate of congressional hearings on Enron Corp. and the issues raised by the Houston energy trader’s collapse, including accounting and pension reforms, is scheduled. Among them:

* Tuesday, Senate Banking Committee hearing on accounting and investor protection. Witnesses include Charles Bowsher, chairman of the Public Oversight Board and former U.S. comptroller of the currency.

* Wednesday, Senate Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on why corporate credit rating firms maintained high ratings for Enron up to a few days before the energy giant filed for bankruptcy protection Dec. 2 and the role and responsibilities of the firms.

* House Financial Services Committee hearing on the Corporate and Auditing Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency Act.

* House Financial Services capital markets subcommittee hearing on the role of boards of directors, executives and audit committees in publicly traded companies.

* Wednesday and Thursday, Senate Banking Committee hearing on accounting and investor protection issues. Witnesses Thursday include Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Harvey Pitt.