UK bankers allowed to challenge extradition in Enron case News
UK bankers allowed to challenge extradition in Enron case

[JURIST] Three UK bankers whose extradition is sought by the US based on links to the Enron scandal may challenge UK prosecutors for failing to investigate the case, the UK High Court [official website] has ruled. The Court granted review on the case, saying that it was possible that the UK Serious Fraud Office [official website] did not lawfully exercise its discretion in opting not to investigate the men. The bankers' extradition has been delayed several times since last fall, with the current deadline for a decision by the Home Secretary due on May 24. US prosecutors have alleged that the three used a fraudulent Enron partnership to skim $7.3 million from their former employer, Greenwich Natwest [corporate website]. The bankers have argued they should be tried in the UK rather than the US. The case has proceeded under the Extradition Act [text], a US-UK agreement that allows fast-track extraditions with lower evidentiary requirements. View the US indictment [PDF text] of the three men. Bloomberg has more.

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