3 Indicted in Britain Over Enron Deal

Federal prosecutors in Houston indicted three British bankers on wire fraud charges in connection with an Enron Corp. deal considered a critical piece of the case being built against former Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow.

Gary Mulgrew, David Bermingham and Giles Darby were accused of stealing $7.3 million from a deal with Enron in an indictment that mirrors charges filed against them on June 27. But the formal indictment allows prosecutors to begin extradition proceedings to bring the men to the U.S. to face trial.

Fastow has been implicated in several fraudulent transactions by former lieutenant Michael Kopper, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in money laundering and wire fraud charges, and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Kopper implicated Fastow in three fraudulent deals involving Enron off-balance sheet partnerships, including the Southampton Place deal in which the bankers were alleged to have stolen the $7.3 million. Fastow, through his representatives, has consistently declined to comment.