HOUSTON — Arthur Andersen LLP attorney Rusty Hardin is fighting for an acquittal in the firm's obstruction of justice trial. But he says saving the business will be a different matter entirely.

The defense was expected to begin presenting its case Monday, and Hardin said he would focus on showing jurors the people behind the 89-year-old company.

"Maybe I'll call some of them," Hardin said of Andersen partners that prosecutors didn't call to the witness stand. "Most of these people have gone on to other jobs. The company's dead."

The firm is accused of shredding documents and deleting computer records related to Enron Corp. audits last year as the Securities and Exchange Commission began probing the now-bankrupt energy company's finances.

U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon told jurors last week that court would be in session Monday despite the Memorial Day holiday.

Since the indictment was unsealed March 14, Andersen has lost nearly a quarter of its 2,300 companies whose books it audited last year.

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Prosecutors expect to rest their case Monday with their last witness, FBI Agent Paula Schanzle. She would be the 18th prosecution witness to testify.

Much of their case has hinged on the testimony of David Duncan, Andersen's former top Enron auditor who pleaded guilty to illegally shredding documents.

Richard Corgel, Andersen's U.S. audit practice director in Chicago, was expected to be the first to testify for the defense, Hardin said. Corgel was one of the prosecution's potential witnesses.

Hardin said he expects his case to last three to five days.

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