Attorneys for ex-Westar executives oppose moving trial back to Topeka from Kansas City

Ex-Westar execs’ attorneys fight moving trial site

TOPEKA, Kan. — Two former Westar Energy Inc. executives facing criminal charges are opposing plans to move their third trial.

Attorneys for former Westar CEO David Wittig and his chief lieutenant, Douglas Lake, filed a motion late Wednesday arguing that they still can’t get a fair trial in Topeka, where the utility is based.

The first two trials were held in Kansas City, Kan., partly because of concerns over pretrial publicity.

A federal judge is considering when to schedule the men’s third trial and may hold it in Topeka.

Wittig and Lake are charged with conspiring to loot Westar and circumventing internal controls to hide their actions. Their first trial ended in a hung jury and their second trial ended in convictions that were subsequently overturned on appeal.