Examiner Named for Enron Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Reuters via The New York Times - May 23, 2002 http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/23/business/23EXAM.html Examiner Named for Enron By REUTERS A bankruptcy lawyer from Atlanta has been nominated to investigate Enron's partnerships and off-balance-sheet deals, a task that could help determine how much creditors could recoup, the United States Trustees Office said yesterday. The lawyer, Neal Batson, was recommended as independent examiner, a post authorized to investigate Enron's partnerships, hedging practices and executives, by the trustee, Carolyn Schwartz, who oversees the administrative side of Enron's bankruptcy. In early April, Ms. Schwartz was ordered to appoint an examiner by Judge Arthur J. Gonzalez, who is overseeing the Enron bankruptcy. Judge Gonzalez asked for an examiner after a request by creditors. Mr. Batson, who is with the firm Alston & Bird, has 30 years of experience in bankruptcy law and has served as examiner in earlier cases. He will have 120 days to file an initial report on the deals and partnerships involved in Enron's collapse. His findings and recommendations could shape potential litigation against former Enron partners and executives, although creditors and Judge Gonzalez will have final say over such matters. The judge has two business days to consider the nomination and approve Mr. Batson, barring objections. None are expected. While examiners are unusual in bankruptcy cases, this would be the second in the Enron case. In March, Judge Gonzalez ordered an investigation of Enron's energy trading unit to ensure that cash was not diverted from it to finance other subsidiaries. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytlab-05.23.02-07:31:03-18969