At
Center of Enron Bankruptcy, Dispute Over Big Bank Creditors

By LESLIE WAYNE (NYT) 1510 words
Late Edition - Final, Section C, Page 1, Column 2
ABSTRACT - Many creditors question whether J P Morgan Chase
and Citigroup can represent their interests when, they contend,
bank helped cause many of Enron's financial problems in first
place; banks are subject of government investigations and
private lawsuits over their role in structuring
off-balance-sheet partnerships that helped sink Enron; some
creditors say banks are in hopeless conflict, and Securities and
Exchange Commission has expressed concern, as well; Wall Street
firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy has been hired, at more
than $1 million per month, to represent creditors committee in
its negotiations with Enron; many creditors ask how effectively
Milbank can represent them after having received more than $17
million in fees from Enron and its affiliates in last five
years; Judge Arthur J Gonzalez, who is overseeing Enron
bankruptcy, has scheduled hearing on May 15 on whether to
disqualify Milbank; challenge to J P Morgan an d Citigroup is
before Carolyn Schwartz, US trustee in case, who has power to
remove members of creditors' committee and to refer matters for
investigation or criminal prosecution; Harvard University Prof
Elizabeth Warren says creditor representatives may risk suing
themselves; chart; photos |