Reply #19: Enron: Skilling's temper shows up

[UpInArms]

http://money.cnn.com/2006/04/18/news/newsmakers/enron_trial/index.htm?eref=yahoo

HOUSTON (CNNMoney.com) - In his second day of cross examination, Enron's former chief executive Jeffrey Skilling's carefully maintained composure began to show signs of wear Tuesday as he fielded tough questions from the government over the way in which Enron met earnings targets.

By afternoon, as government prosecutor Sean Berkowitz accused Skilling of directing his lieutenants to dip into Enron's reserves in order to meet or beat earnings estimates, and showed e-mails and reserve account charts to back up his point, Skilling became increasingly agitated.

<snip>

Skilling looked increasingly upset as he read the transcript and when Berkowitz said "let's move on," Skilling jumped forward in his seat and angrily said "let's not move on."

He heatedly tried to explain that the reserve charts shown by the prosecution weren't finalized financial reports but rather a mid-quarter estimate of how much reserves Enron expected to have and therefore it wasn't appropriate to present them as evidence that Enron dipped into reserves to bolster earnings.

Berkowitz, who maintained his calm through Skilling's outburst, said "I know that you at times overreact to people who are critical, but if you could, just let me ask the questions and move along, Mr. Skilling."

...more...