Ex-Qwest Exec Enters Plea for Second Trial

A former Qwest Communications International Inc. executive facing his second trial over allegedly fraudulent accounting pleaded not guilty to the federal government’s new indictment.

Thomas Hall, a former senior vice president of sales, faces three counts of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud.

He is accused in an alleged scheme of improperly booking nearly $34 million in revenue as part of a June 2001 deal with the Arizona School Facilities Board to link public schools to the Internet.

In April, a jury deadlocked on similar charges against Hall. Two other managers were acquitted and a fourth later pleaded guilty to a felony count of accessory after the fact to wire fraud with reckless indifference.

A federal grand jury issued a new indictment against Hall in June that narrowed the scope of the charges. His second trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 4.