No Evidence That Communications Between the FERC Chairman and the Chairman of Enron Corporation Violated Criminal Statutes or Ethics Regulations

This letter responds to congressional interest in the communications between Curt Hebert, Jr., Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and Kenneth Lay, Chairman of Enron Corporation which were discussed in an article in the New York Times on May 25, 2001. Concerns were raised these communications might have violated federal criminal statutes or ethics regulations. GAO found that there was no evidence that the Chairman attempted to use public office for private gain or that Mr. Lay offered anything of value to Mr. Herbert.