Ken Lay has more legal challenges ahead

HOUSTON, May 8 (UPI) -- The founder of Enron Corp. has a few more legal hurdles after his current fraud and conspiracy trial winds up.

Ken Lay is nearing the end of a Houston trial over the 2001 collapse of the once-mighty energy trading entity, The Houston Chronicle reported Monday.

Once jurors in the current case begin deliberations, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake will begin hearing evidence in a separate, non-jury trial that is expected to last about a week, on four personal banking charges.

The non-jury trial concerns accusations that Lay put three federally insured banks at risk and intended to defraud them while running Enron.

Each of the charges carries a maximum sentence of a 30-year prison term and $1 million fine.