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Westar Energy

Judge admonishes defense attorneys for new arguments in Wittig retrial
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Attorneys for David Wittig and another former Westar Energy executive can't attack the utility's motives for launching an internal investigation of their conduct as a defense against fraud charges, a federal judge said Tuesday.

Westar's first-quarter profit misses Wall Street expectations
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Westar Energy Inc. on Tuesday reported first-quarter earnings that missed Wall Street projections as the electric utility was hurt by a 1 percent drop in revenue and higher operating expenses.

Judge cleared for Westar retrial
Thursday, May 5, 2005
A federal appeals court has refused to disqualify the judge in the retrial of two former top executives of Westar Energy Inc.

Westar agrees to $32.5M shareholder settlement
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Westar Energy Inc. has agreed to settle a series of shareholder lawsuits for $32.5 million, the utility said Friday.

Wittig seeks trial delay, judge's removal
Friday, April 15, 2005
David Wittig, former chief executive officer of Westar Energy Inc., filed a motion Thursday asking that his second trial on federal looting charges be put on hold while he asks an appeals court to remove the presiding judge.

Judge won't disqualify herself in retrial of Westar executives
Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Attorneys defending David Wittig and another former Westar Energy Inc. executive will face restrictions on their behavior during a second criminal trial, imposed by a federal judge who rejected their request she remove herself from the case.

Wittig to call additional witnesses at retrial
Saturday, March 19, 2005
It took 10 weeks to unsuccessfully try former Westar Energy Inc. CEO David Wittig last year on charges that he tried to loot Kansas' largest electric utility.

Westar posts sixfold increase in fourth-quarter earnings
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Electric utility Westar Energy Inc. on Wednesday reported a sixfold jump in fourth-quarter earnings. Revenue climbed 4 percent.

Wittig, Lake want trial outside Kansas
Saturday, March 5, 2005
For the second time, two former Westar Energy Inc. executives facing trial on charges of looting the state's largest electric utility are asking to move the case outside of Kansas.

Westar case lawyers ask judge to recuse herself from retrial
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Attorneys for two former Westar Energy Inc. executives facing retrial on charges of looting the utility have asked the presiding judge in the case to step down, claiming she appears biased against them.

Prosecutors want retrial in Topeka
Friday, February 4, 2005
The second trial of former Westar Energy Inc. executives David Wittig and Douglas Lake should be held in Topeka, rather than in Kansas City, Kan., prosecutors say.

Prosecutors to retry Westar's Wittig, Lake
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
Prosecutors will retry former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig and his top deputy on charges they attempted to loot the state's largest electric utility, U.S. Atty. Eric Melgren said Tuesday.

Lawyers for ex-Westar exec argue to be allowed at possible 2nd trial
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Defense attorneys for former Westar executive Douglas Lake say they acted professionally during Lake's first trial and should not be restricted from being in the courtroom if a second trial is held.

Court date set in event of second trial for Wittig
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
A second trial of former Westar Energy Inc. executives David Wittig and Douglas T. Lake will begin May 9 should prosecutors decide to retry the pair on charges accusing them of trying to loot the company.

Westar charged for legal fees
Thursday, December 30, 2004
The lawyers who defended former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig and his top deputy during their recent trial on federal fraud charges have billed the utility $7.9 million, according to government documents.

Prosecutors weighing options for retrying Westar execs
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
A day after the federal fraud trial of two former Westar Energy Inc. executives ended in a mistrial, prosecutors began the process Tuesday of deciding whether to retry the case.

Judge declares mistrial in Westar officials' case
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
The federal fraud trial of former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig and his top deputy, accused of trying to loot the company, ended Monday in a mistrial after jurors could not reach a verdict on more than half the charges.

Judge declares mistrial in Wittig trial
Monday, December 20, 2004
(Updated Monday at 3:12 p.m.) The federal fraud trial of former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig and his top deputy ended Monday in a mistrial after jurors could not reach a verdict on more than half of the charges.

Westar jurors deadlock on 22 counts
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Jurors struggling to reach a verdict in the federal fraud trial of two former Westar Energy Inc. executives have recessed for the weekend after they told a judge Friday that they are deadlocked on about half of the counts faced by former chief executive David Wittig and his top deputy.

Jurors deliberate fifth day in Westar case
Friday, December 17, 2004
Jurors in the federal fraud trial of two former Westar Energy Inc. executives failed to reach a verdict after a fifth day of deliberations Thursday and were to return today for more work.

Jurors deliberate fourth day on Wittig fraud case
Thursday, December 16, 2004
As jurors continued to deliberate in the federal fraud trial of two former Westar executives, the judge overseeing the case considered Wednesday whether to force the defendants to repay attorneys' fees should they lose.

Jurors again hear Westar auditor testimony
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Jurors were to continue deliberations Wednesday in the federal fraud trial of two executives accused of looting Kansas' biggest electric utility.

Westar jury completes 2nd day of deliberations
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Jurors in the federal fraud trial of two former Westar Energy Inc. executives finished their second day of deliberations Monday without issuing a verdict.

Jury deliberations to begin in Westar fraud case
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
The federal fraud trial for two former Westar Energy Inc. executives is now in the hands of the jurors.

Judge banishes defense attorney
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
An angry federal judge ordered an attorney defending former Westar Energy Inc. vice president Douglas Lake to stay out of the courtroom for the rest of the trial, after what the judge called his hostile conduct.

Lake: Plan was to cut Westar debt, not loot it
Saturday, December 4, 2004
A former Westar Energy Inc. executive testified Friday that a plan to push forward with a spin-off company was intended to reduce the utility's debt, not line his pockets.

Lake says Wittig's plane use was issue
Friday, December 3, 2004
A former Westar Energy Inc. executive testified Thursday that he was uncomfortable with the personal use of a Westar plane by the company's former chief executive.

Ex-Westar exec defends merger plan at trial
Thursday, December 2, 2004
Former Westar Energy Inc. executive Douglas Lake retook the witness stand Wednesday to defend the company's ill-fated split-and-merger plan.

Lake denies attempt to control spin-off
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
A former Westar Energy Inc. executive testified Tuesday that government allegations about his dealings in several company-related investments were wrong.

Former Westar executive Lake testifies he wanted to sell European subsidiary
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Former Westar Energy Inc. executive vice president Douglas T. Lake testified Monday that a trip to Europe in spring 2000 was not a lavish jaunt, but "crisis management" of a subsidiary.

Kansans to get help with winter bills
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Low-income Kansans will benefit from about $15.8 million in federal funding aimed at helping them pay winter utility bills.

Ex-Westar exec says he did not misuse airplane
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
A former Westar Energy Inc. executive vice president accused of looting the Topeka-based company testified Tuesday that he had nothing to do with several of the charges against him and a former CEO, including allegations that they misused corporate planes.

Former Westar attorney cross-examined on counsel
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
The government Monday accused a former Westar Energy Inc. general counsel of failing to provide oversight of two former Westar executives on trial for federal fraud.

Witness: Westar execs' pay was not a secret
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Executive compensation at Westar Energy Inc. was no secret, a former employee said Friday during the federal fraud trial of two former executives.

Prosecution wraps up Westar case
Friday, November 19, 2004
Prosecutors concluded their case Thursday in the federal fraud trial of former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig.

Westar critic says Wittig hid bonus from shareholders
Thursday, November 18, 2004
One of David Wittig's biggest critics testified Wednesday that the former chief executive officer of Westar Energy Inc. manipulated company rules in 2002 to give himself an annual bonus without disclosing it to shareholders.

Witness: Corporate jet perks saved Westar execs millions
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Former Westar Energy Inc. executives David Wittig and Douglas T. Lake took more than $1.8 million worth of personal flights on the company's jets between 1998 and 2002, a prosecution witness said Wednesday.

Witness says Wittig tried to reimburse Westar for jet ride
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Former Westar chief executive David Wittig tried to reimburse the utility for his personal use of a company jet not long after arriving at Westar, a witness testified in Wittig's federal fraud trial Tuesday.

Judge warns attorney in Westar case
Tuesday, November 9, 2004
U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson placed an attorney representing a former Westar Energy Inc. executive on warning Monday, saying she was close to citing the lawyer last week for being in contempt of court.

CEO says Wittig trial won't affect Westar
Tuesday, November 9, 2004
The president and chief executive officer of Westar Energy said a trial involving former company leader David Wittig and another former executive likely would not damage the Topeka-based utility.

Westar exec's attorney accuses prosecutor of courtroom threats
Saturday, November 6, 2004
A defense attorney representing a former Westar Energy Inc. executive in a federal fraud trial accused a prosecutor of threatening him.

Westar employee: Execs used plane for own benefit
Friday, November 5, 2004
Former Westar Energy Inc. executive Douglas T. Lake traveled so much that company airplanes were referred to as "The Florida Shuttle," an employee testified Thursday.

Westar defense insists board knew of deals
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Defense attorneys hammered away at the testimony of a former Westar Energy Inc. board member Friday, using documents and examples to try to prove he knew of controversial Westar financial deals.

Defense: Westar board knew about CEO's benefits
Friday, October 29, 2004
Former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig was not secretive about his financial dealings and benefits, defense lawyers argued Thursday in Wittig's federal fraud trial.

Witness describes Westar insurance plot
Thursday, October 28, 2004
A so-called split-dollar life insurance policy was a scheme to line the pockets of Westar Energy Inc. executives, a former Westar board member testified Wednesday.

Wittig trial focusing on traced phone calls
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig traced outgoing phone calls, hoping to plug a leak of company information to journalists and state regulators, a current Westar executive testified Tuesday.

Witness: Westar lost $1.6M on Wittig plane purchase
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Westar Energy Inc. lost more than $1.6 million in 2002 when it sold a corporate jet the utility had owned for only two months, a witness testified Monday in the federal fraud trial of former company CEO David Wittig.

Wittig not alone in insurance scheme
Saturday, October 23, 2004
David Wittig was not the only executive at Westar Energy Inc. to take advantage of a life insurance policy the indicted former chief executive used to collect $2 million in 2002, a witness testified at Wittig's federal fraud trial.

Federal fraud trial opens for Wittig, partner
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig and his top deputy "tried to enrich themselves with every available opportunity" during their tenure leading the largest electric utility in Kansas, a prosecutor said as the pair's federal fraud trial began Tuesday.

Wittig trial judge limits mention of harm done to Westar ratepayers
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Jury selection continued Wednesday in the federal fraud trial of former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig after prosecutors were directed not to mention any alleged harm suffered by customers during his tenure.

Jury selection opens today in trial of former Westar leaders
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
When the trial of former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig gets under way this week, prosecutors are sure to talk about his Ferrari and the $128,000 he spent on window treatment as they press accusations he and another executive tried to loot the largest utility in Kansas.

Westar role in scandal small, crucial
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Westar Energy's role in a political scandal brewing in Washington, D.C., and Texas is like the voice of God in the "The Ten Commandments" -- a small part but crucial to the action.

DeLay's resignation sought over Westar contributions
Friday, October 8, 2004
Westar Energy Inc. and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, were linked Thursday in an exploding political scandal revealed by an ethics committee report that provided a detailed view of money, power and politics.

DeLay rebuked for golf outing with Westar executives
Thursday, October 7, 2004
(Updated Thursday at 11:01 a.m.) The House ethics committee rebuked Majority Leader Tom DeLay for the second time in a week for questionable conduct, sternly warning the Texas Republican to temper his behavior.

Potential witnesses named in fraud trial against Westar executives
Wednesday, October 6, 2004
Prosecutors are listing 97 people as potential witnesses for the federal fraud trial of David Wittig and another former Westar Energy Inc. executive accused of looting the utility.

Westar to face Texas charge
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Topeka-based Westar Energy was indicted Tuesday by a Texas grand jury, which accused the Kansas utility company of making an illegal campaign contribution to a political action committee formed by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Westar among those indicted for illegal donations
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
(Updated Tuesday at 5:29 p.m.) A Travis County grand jury on Tuesday indicted three people and eight corporations, including Kansas-based Westar Energy Inc., on charges related to alleged illegal donations made to a political action committee formed by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Former executives at Westar request charges be dropped
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Attorneys for former Westar Energy Inc. executives David Wittig and Douglas T. Lake, accused by federal prosecutors of looting the state's largest electric utility, attacked the government's case again Tuesday, seeking either a dismissal or more detail about the charges.

Judge delays trial for former Westar executives
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
A federal judge has agreed to postpone the criminal fraud trial of David Wittig and another former Westar Energy Inc. executive until Oct. 12, parties involved in the case said Tuesday.

Revised Westar charges issued
Thursday, July 15, 2004
A federal grand jury issued a pair of new indictments Wednesday against former Westar Energy Inc. executives David Wittig and Douglas Lake, adding to the charges they already face.

Westar's Lake wants separate trial from Wittig
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Former Westar Energy executive Douglas Lake should be tried separately from the company's former president, chairman and chief executive officer, Lake's attorneys said in a federal court motion.

House leader subject of ethics complaint
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
A Texas Democrat who saw his political career halted by the maneuverings of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and other Republicans filed multiple complaints with the House ethics committee Tuesday, accusing DeLay of "serious criminal acts."

Former Westar execs ask for cash
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Former Westar executives David C. Wittig and Douglas T. Lake have asked a judge to allow Westar to release money for defense in their criminal cases.

Bid to change Westar board fails
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
A long-shot bid from a Topeka attorney to join the board of Westar Energy Inc. failed Tuesday, as shareholders also rejected a proposal to allow board nominations from the floor at the company's annual meetings.

Westar cites sale, market for lower earnings
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Westar Energy Inc. posted lower first-quarter earnings Monday than it did a year ago, reflecting the sale of the company's nonelectric holdings and declines in the wholesale energy market.

Ex-banker in Wittig case to surrender
Thursday, April 15, 2004
A former Topeka banker convicted in a loan conspiracy case will surrender to authorities Tuesday so he can begin serving his 6 1/2 year prison sentence, his attorneys said.

Judge denies payments to Wittig
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
A federal judge has told Westar Energy Inc. not to make any payments to David Wittig, its former chairman, president and CEO, and Douglas Lake, who was the company's executive vice president of corporate strategy.

Westar investigation nears end
Tuesday, April 6, 2004
With Westar Energy Inc.'s debt reduced and its stock dividend expected to rise, state regulators hope to end a three-year investigation into the company's management.

Judge says no payments to Wittig, Lake
Tuesday, April 6, 2004
(Web Posted Tuesday at 11:46 a.m.) A federal judge has told Westar Energy Inc. not to make any payments to David Wittig, its former chairman, president and CEO, and Douglas Lake, who was the company's executive vice president of corporate strategy.

Judge will allow Wittig to stay free during his appeal
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
A federal judge is allowing David Wittig to remain free while he appeals his federal fraud convictions.

Wittig to remain free during appeal
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
(Updated Tuesday at 12:51 p.m.) TOPEKA - A federal judge is allowing David Wittig to remain free while he appeals his federal fraud convictions. Wittig, the former chairman and chief executive officer at Westar Energy Inc., the state's largest electric utility, was convicted in July of conspiracy, money laundering and making false bank entries. He was sentenced to four years and three months in prison.

Westar stockholders seek to keep lawsuit alive
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Attorneys representing stockholders who allege they were defrauded by former Westar Energy Inc. management will file legal briefs Monday hoping to keep the case going.

Wittig seeks freedom during appeal
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Former Westar Energy chairman, president and CEO David Wittig has again asked that he be allowed to remain free while appealing his conviction in a loan conspiracy case and the sentence of just over four years that he got for it.

Wittig gets four-year sentence for loan conspiracy
Saturday, February 28, 2004
Former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig was sentenced Friday to more than four years in prison for his part in a federal loan-conspiracy case stemming from two transactions at a Topeka bank. Wittig was found guilty July 14 of conspiracy, four counts of making false bank entries and one count of money laundering. The charges alleged no wrongdoing at Westar or any harm to the electric utility or its shareholders.

Wittig sentenced to 4 years, three months in fraud case
Friday, February 27, 2004
(Updated Friday at 11:54 a.m.) KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Former Wester Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig was sentenced Friday to more than four years in prison for his part in a federal loan-conspiracy case stemming from two transactions at a Topeka bank.

Former Jayhawk gets 6 1/2 years for fraud
Friday, February 27, 2004
A federal judge sentenced former banker Clinton Odell "Del" Weidner II to 6 1/2 years in prison Thursday for his role in a federal loan-conspiracy case that involved former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig. Weidner, 50, the former president of Topeka's Capital City Bank, was convicted in July of conspiracy, two counts of filing false bank entries and one count of money laundering. Before his trial, he pleaded guilty to two other counts of filing false bank entries.

Weidner sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison in Westar case
Thursday, February 26, 2004
(Updated Thursday at 3:34 p.m.) TOPEKA - A federal judge sentenced former banker Clinton Odell "Del" Weidner II to 6 1/2 years in prison Thursday for his role in a federal loan-conspiracy case that involved former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig.

Ex-Westar executives' assets put on hold
Friday, February 20, 2004
David Wittig can't sell his Ferrari.

Ex-Westar executives win delay of trial
Sunday, February 8, 2004
Two former Westar Energy Inc. executives who are charged with spending millions of dollars in company money will face trial in September instead of March, a federal judge ordered.

Westar pair restricted to home-state travel
Tuesday, February 3, 2004
Two former Westar Energy executives who once jetted around the world on their company's dime have been ordered to remain within the borders of the states in which they live.

Former Westar executives want trial delayed
Saturday, January 31, 2004
Two former executives of Westar Energy Inc. have asked that their corporate fraud trial be delayed until October.

Lawmaker sympathetic with Westar over EPA concerns
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
(Updated Wednesday at 4:36 p.m.) TOPEKA - Westar Energy Inc. officials today received a sympathetic ear from the House Utilities Committee over the company's recent run-in with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Westar customers aren't responsible for cost of upgrades, official says
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
The state's chief consumer representative in electric rates said Tuesday he would fight any attempt by Westar Energy Inc. to charge ratepayers the cost of fixing possible pollution violations at its Jeffrey Energy Center near St. Marys.

Watchdog group's counsel reacts to possible Westar rate changes
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
(Updated Wednesday at 6:22 p.m.) The state's chief consumer representative in electric rates today said he will fight any attempt by Westar Energy Inc. to charge ratepayers the cost of fixing possible pollution violations at its Jeffrey Energy Center near St. Marys.

EPA notifies Westar of permit violations
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Federal officials have told Westar Energy Inc. that the company violated clean air regulations when it replaced equipment at its largest electric generating plant during the 1990s, Westar disclosed Monday.

Analysis: Ex-Westar CEO's image could be his downfall
Monday, January 5, 2004
David Wittig hasn't always been cast as the villain of Westar Energy Inc.'s ongoing melodrama. In 1998, when Wittig ascended to the chief executive officer's job at the state's largest electric company, a newspaper profile suggested he had the reputation of a blunt, straight-talking, dealmaking whiz who was turning Westar into a stronger, diversified national company.

Wittig, Lake plead not guilty
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
David Wittig and another former executive pleaded innocent Tuesday to federal charges of trying to plunder Westar Energy Inc., then beat back prosecutors' attempts to force new financial disclosures from them.

Wittig, Lake plead innocent in Westar case
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
(Web Posted Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.) David Wittig and another former Westar Energy Inc. executive pleaded innocent in federal court Tuesday to every charge in a 40-count indictment that accuses the two men with trying to loot the state's largest electric company while its stock sank and its debt soared.

Former Westar executives to be in court today
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Accused of trying to plunder the state's largest electric company, former Westar Energy Inc. chief executive David Wittig and another former executive are schedule to make their first appearances today on a 40-count federal indictment.

Wittig tab continues to grow
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
If you're a customer of Westar Energy, the state's largest utility company, you may end up helping pay the legal expenses of former Westar executives David Wittig and Douglas Lake. The two have been accused by federal prosecutors of looting the state's largest utility for personal gain. But they will have their legal expenses paid, at least for now, by Westar, officials said Tuesday.

Investors' lawsuit hangs over Westar
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
The new year will ring in with no end in sight to a nearly $100 million lawsuit that claims former Kansas University Chancellor Gene Budig was among those responsible for misleading Westar Energy investors.

Retirees still share Westar concerns
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Bill Bosze has paid extra-close attention to the federal charges accusing a pair of former Westar Energy Inc. executives of looting the utility company. "I put in 37 years -- all of them at the Lawrence power plant," said Bosze, who'll turn 85 in a couple of weeks.

Prosecutors: Lavish lifestyle bought with Westar money
Sunday, December 7, 2003
The list includes a 2001 Ferrari worth nearly $230,000, as well as carpets costing $269,000 and window treatments priced at nearly $128,000. Also included are a $15,000 pool table and a $5,200 billiards light.

Indictments stir debate on Westar's future
Friday, December 5, 2003
Federal indictments against two former Westar Energy Inc. executives left observers of the company wondering whether the Topeka-based utility itself would become the subject of a federal investigation. Topeka attorney Dan Lykins, a Westar shareholder and critic of the company's management, said it was possible the company could be indicted.

Consumer advocate questions extent of corruption
Friday, December 5, 2003
Kansans who watch Westar Energy Inc. said they were not surprised Thursday by allegations contained in a federal indictment against two former executives, though a consumer advocate questioned why more defendants were not named.

Lawrence retiree seeks return to 'good, solid' days
Friday, December 5, 2003
If the weather's good, 15 or so members of the Lawrence chapter of the Westar Energy Retirees Club will meet for lunch Tuesday.

Wittig-Westar timeline
Friday, December 5, 2003

Wittig accused of plundering public utility
Friday, December 5, 2003
The former chief executive of Westar Energy Inc. was accused Thursday of looting Kansas' largest electric company of millions of dollars and using the money to renovate his mansion and buy a Ferrari while the utility nose-dived. A 40-count federal indictment charged David Wittig and former executive vice president Douglas Lake with conspiracy, fraud and other crimes. Wittig, 48, was convicted this year of bank fraud unrelated to Westar business.

Westar executives Wittig, Lake indicted
Thursday, December 4, 2003
(Updated Thursday at 12:23 p.m.) Two former executives of Westar Energy Inc. -- the power company that serves Lawrence and much of Kansas -- face dozens of charges alleging they stole millions of dollars from the utility and destroyed evidence to try to cover up the crimes, federal officials said Thursday.

S&P lowers credit rating for Westar's Protection One
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Standard and Poor's lowered its credit rating Tuesday of Protection One Inc., the security alarm company primarily owned by Westar Energy Inc.

Former Westar chief's sentencing delayed
Sunday, November 16, 2003
A federal judge has again postponed sentencing for former Westar Energy Inc. chief David Wittig and his personal banker, a delay that will also help prosecutors unravel an Arizona land deal caught up in the loan conspiracy case.

Westar cites Protection One in $81.3 million loss
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. posted a large loss in the third quarter of this year, the result of a reduction in the value of a security alarm company it is trying to sell.

Westar CEO's sentencing delayed
Friday, October 17, 2003
Sentencing has been postponed for former Westar Energy chief David Wittig and co-defendant Clinton Odell Weidner II, convicted of six federal felonies each in a federal loan-conspiracy case.

Westar CEO seeks to keep Wittig-era directors
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
James Haines says following David Wittig makes being chief executive officer at Westar Energy Inc. more difficult, but he praises three Wittig-era directors and says he wants them to remain on the company's board.

Former Westar Energy CEO seeks new trial or acquittal
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Former Westar Energy Inc. chief David Wittig, convicted of bank fraud and money laundering, is seeking a new trial or acquittal, claiming his trial last month was riddled with errors.

Westar Energy sheds more shares of ONEOK stock
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Westar Energy Inc., announced Tuesday that it would sell an additional $13.6 million worth of shares of its ONEOK stock in an ongoing effort to reduce the company's debt.

News leak probe at Westar looked in, out of utility
Friday, August 15, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. has disclosed that it investigated 10 people, not three as previously acknowledged, in seeking the source of suspected news leaks in 2001, an attorney for a group of Westar customers said in a petition filed Thursday with state regulators.

Westar posts higher earnings
Saturday, August 9, 2003
An improved performance by Westar Energy Inc.'s electric operations -- and reduced corporate debt -- helped boost its revenues, net income and earnings during the second quarter, the company reported Friday.
Westar reported earnings of $28.2 million, of 38 cents per share, for the three months ending June 30, up from $9.3 million, or 13 cents per share, during the same quarter in 2002. The company saw revenues of $257.2 million, compared with $239.6 million for the second quarter last year.

Westar expects $230 million from ONEOK stock sale
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. said Wednesday it would receive $230.5 million from an additional sale of its stock in a Tulsa, Okla., natural gas company.
The Topeka-based electric company priced 9.5 million shares of ONEOK Inc. at $19, generating $180.5 million in revenues. The companies had agreed that if gross revenues exceeded $150 million, ONEOK would buy back another $50 million worth of its stock, or 2.6 million shares at the $19 price.

Advocate pans Westar rebate plan
Thursday, July 24, 2003
Westar Energy's plan to pay each of its customers about $28 in rebates over a two-year period is far below what the company should be paying, a state consumer advocate said Wednesday.
The Kansas Corporation Commission has ended its hearing into plans by the financially beleaguered company to reduce its $2.9 billion in debt.

Westar situation dubbed delicate
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. remains "fragile," and an agreement designed to reduce its debt and improve its finances has a thin margin of error, Chief Executive Officer James Haines says.

Rebates part of Westar restructuring agreement
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. agreed Monday to provide more than $20.5 million in rebates to customers as part of a settlement reached with state regulators and large electric consumers.

Wittig found guilty
Monday, July 14, 2003
(Web Posted Monday at 5:20 p.m.) Former Westar Energy Inc. chief David Wittig was found guilty by a jury Monday of conspiring with a Topeka banker to conceal a loan payment in an effort to ensure financing in a company Wittig wanted to create from Westar's assets.

Witness: Banker requested that loan from former Westar CEO stay secret
Wednesday, July 9, 2003
The former president of a Topeka bank confided to his assistant about receiving a $1.5 million loan from his customer David Wittig, who was then chief of Westar Energy Inc., the assistant testified Tuesday.

Former Westar executive's trial opens
Thursday, July 3, 2003
Former Westar Energy Inc. chief David Wittig had no obligation to report a loan he made to a Topeka banker, his attorney said on the opening day of Wittig's federal bank fraud trial.
The $1.5 million personal loan made by Wittig to Clinton Odell Weidner II, former president of Topeka's Capital City Bank, is at the center of the trial, which began Wednesday after two days of jury selection.

National watchdog group wants Westar to open files
Wednesday, July 2, 2003
A national political watchdog group on Tuesday called on Westar Energy Inc. to release more documents related to the company's alleged efforts last year to influence federal legislation through campaign contributions to key congressmen and their allies.

Westar effort to recoup millions from Wittig headed to arbitration
Tuesday, July 1, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. is trying to wrest $102 million from ex-CEO David Wittig and another former executive, but the company faces doubts about how well it will fare in the dispute.

Westar sheds security firm
Tuesday, July 1, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. has taken another step toward returning to its roots as a pure electric utility, completing its sale of Protection One Europe.

Agency urges removal of Westar directors
Friday, June 27, 2003
Three directors should be removed from Westar Energy Inc.'s corporate board for participating in past company mismanagement, attorneys representing consumers said Thursday.
The Citizens' Utility Ratepayers Board identified board Chairman Charles Q. Chandler IV and directors R.A. Edwards and John C. Nettels Jr.

Westar, Midwest deal partly approved
Friday, June 27, 2003
State regulators have approved Westar Energy Inc.'s sale of its central Kansas territories to Midwest Energy Inc., but also rejected part of the two companies' deal.
Westar had planned to sell the territory and the related assets for $33 million, or $12.5 million more than the value of the property. The territory includes about 10,000 customers in Ellsworth, Rice, Pratt, Reno, Barton, Stafford, Edwards and Pawnee counties.

Third congressman distances himself from Westar funds
Friday, June 27, 2003
A House member is the third Republican in Congress to return or give to charity political contributions from a Kansas utility enmeshed in a campaign fund-raising controversy.

Westar completes changes on board
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. has completed the restructuring of its board of directors with the naming of two new members.

Lawmakers divided on what to do with donations from Westar, executives
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Responses have been mixed among members of the Kansas congressional delegation as pressure mounts to return campaign contributions from a utility now embroiled in a campaign fund-raising controversy.

Congressmen return Westar donations
Friday, June 20, 2003
Two Republicans in Congress said Thursday they will give away campaign donations from the now-indicted former CEO of a utility. Several other recipients declined to do so, saying the contributions had already been spent.

Group files complaint in Westar investigation
Thursday, June 19, 2003
A group with Democratic ties is filing complaints against Rep. Billy Tauzin of Louisiana and Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, saying they may have solicited campaign donations from a utility in exchange for legislative assistance. Both men deny soliciting the donations or providing any help.
Citing internal documents from Westar Energy of Topeka, Kan., Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington questioned whether Tauzin and Shelby violated rules of professional conduct for lawyers, filing the complaints with disciplinary panels in the home states of the two, who are attorneys.

Ratepayers seek Westar audit
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
A ratepayers group is seeking a new investigation of Westar Energy to insure the company's bread-and-butter utility business was not damaged by former CEO David Wittig.

Westar seeks to fill vacancies on board of directors
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Westar officials have hired an Overland Park-based consulting firm to find two new members to serve on the company's board of directors.

Westar wants up to $100 million back
Monday, June 16, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. wants two former top executives to repay their salaries and bonuses since 1998, and is seeking a freeze on their assets.

Westar shareholders face uphill battle
Monday, June 16, 2003
What a difference a year makes at Westar Energy Inc.

Aide: Lawmaker unaware of donation from Westar
Sunday, June 15, 2003
An aide for Rep. Sam Graves said the Missouri Republican was unsure why he had received a $1,000 donation from a former Westar Energy Inc. executive.

Westar documents lay out donations to Republicans meant to win exemptions
Friday, June 6, 2003
(Updated Friday at 11:11 a.m.) the donations were requested by GOP leaders who were helping the company win an exemption potentially worth billions of dollars.

Lawmakers deny Westar quid pro quo
Friday, June 6, 2003
Key Republicans, including House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, denied on Thursday any connection between donations from a financially strapped Kansas utility and its being granted an exemption from federal law.

Westar raises campaign-finance questions
Saturday, May 17, 2003
Political contributions made to federal candidates by former Westar Energy Inc. executives may have been illegal, according to an investigative report commissioned by the company.

Westar report unmasks deceit, extravagance
Friday, May 16, 2003
David Wittig was a conniver who spied on his own Westar Energy employees, muscled out boardroom opponents who questioned his ways and misused lavish company jets to ferry family and friends on jaunts to Palm Beach, Fla., Europe and world-class sporting events.

Westar Energy reports profit in first quarter
Friday, May 16, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. posted a profit for the first quarter of 2003, bolstered by winter weather and classifying its troubled monitored security interests as discontinued operations.
Westar earned $123.7 million, or $1.72 per share. That compares to a loss in the first quarter of 2002 of $746.3 million, or $10.46 a share. Last year's loss was associated with Westar's adjustments of assets related to the Protection One security business.

6News video: Westar lays blame at former CEO's feet
Friday, May 16, 2003
Westar Energy believes that the company's board should have monitored David Wittig's activities more closely.

Wittig's executive suite dubbed 'extravagant and insensitive'
Friday, May 16, 2003
David Wittig brought a Wall Street lifestyle that didn't sell in Kansas.

KU-dominated board shares in blame
Friday, May 16, 2003
Where was the board?

Resolutions by Westar's board of directors
Friday, May 16, 2003
Thursday's 367-page report from Westar Energy's board of directors included nine resolutions seeking specific action based on the internal investigation.
The resolutions would:
• Seek reimbursement for personal travel on corporate aircraft by former executives and their families, including David Wittig, Douglas Lake, Carl Koupal, Richard Terrill and John Hayes, over the past five years. The company also would review policies regarding travel, aircraft acquisition and related accounting and reissue W-2 forms for former executives restating earnings.
• Review the claims by executives under a plan that allowed them to take cash for millions of dollars of life insurance coverage.
• Review the rights to claims of stock shares by Wittig and Lake.
• Review Westar's $400,000 investment in 2001 in QuVis Inc., a struggling digital compression company. The review would include seeking losses incurred by Westar from Wittig and Lake.
• Approve a policy by management restricting access to information relating to shareholder votes and the tabulation of the votes.
• Submit a revised schedule of authorization relating to authority of officers at the senior vice president level and above.
• Review and adopt a policy on political fund-raising.
• Evaluate public disclosure policies regarding compliance with federal and state laws.
• Update the company's ethics and compliance program, including providing regular training for employees.

Several unrealized, underperforming deals mark Wittig's path at Westar helm
Friday, May 16, 2003
Westar Energy's 367-page report on its internal investigation doesn't just tell a story about former chairman and CEO David Wittig misusing corporate aircraft, spying on employees and abusing power.

Internal report: Wittig plundered Westar
Thursday, May 15, 2003
(Updated Thursday at 12:39 p.m.) An internal investigation of Westar Energy Inc. alleges that former chief David Wittig plundered the company for personal gain and that the company's board of directors did little to stop him.

Two directors resign from Westar board
Saturday, May 10, 2003
Two Westar Energy Inc. directors with Lawrence ties, who also sat on the committee that recommended controversial salary packages for former Westar top executives, have resigned their positions.

Westar policy raises questions about workers' voting
Thursday, May 8, 2003
A new Westar Energy policy promising employees who own company stock that their votes will be kept confidential is triggering questions about how the information had been used.

Wittig was to earn nearly $10M
Thursday, May 1, 2003
Debt-ridden Westar Energy Inc. issued a report Wednesday that showed former chief executive David Wittig's compensation package last year totaled nearly $10 million. The proxy statement to shareholders of the Topeka-based company that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission also revealed that:

Westar sued over retirement accounts
Sunday, April 27, 2003
Several Westar Energy workers have filed lawsuits against their employer, claiming mismanagement caused them to lose money in their retirement accounts.

Court upholds charges against Wittig, ex-banker
Friday, April 25, 2003
A federal judge refused Thursday to dismiss charges against former Westar Energy Inc. chief David Wittig and a former Topeka bank president in an alleged loan and land scheme.

Westar could owe past execs $81 million
Monday, April 14, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. could owe as much as $81.6 million in compensation and severance to former executives David Wittig and Douglas Lake, according to a recent filing

Westar execs gave families free flights
Thursday, April 3, 2003
Flight logs and company records show that relatives of former top Westar Energy executives accompanied them on company planes free of charge and without the executives paying taxes on the value of the flights.

Westar announces $11.06 per share loss for 2002
Saturday, March 29, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. sustained losses last year of $793.4 million, or $11.06 per share, largely because of changes in accounting for its investment in the Protection One security alarm firm, the company announced Friday.

Westar jet use scrutinized
Saturday, March 29, 2003
Last year, when the Kansas University men's basketball team was in Atlanta playing in the Final Four, David Wittig, then the chief executive of Westar Energy, and his wife, Beth, took the company jet to Atlanta, according to records released Friday.

Judge disqualifies himself in Westar case
Saturday, March 1, 2003
The federal judge in the bank-fraud trial of former Westar Energy chief executive David Wittig has disqualified himself from the case because he is a Westar shareholder.

Westar executive says company awaiting investigation results
Thursday, February 27, 2003
A top executive with Westar Energy said an internal investigation about possible wrongdoings by former chief executive David Wittig was ongoing and could be completed within the next two months.

Westar plans to sell nonutility assets
Friday, February 7, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. said Thursday that it wants to sell off assets and cut its stock dividend by more than a third as part of a plan to reduce its massive debt and return to its roots as a utility.
"We expect to be a stand-alone, Kansas, public electric utility company -- nothing more, nothing less," Jim Haines, Westar's president and chief executive officer, told state legislators during a joint meeting of the House and Senate Utilities committees.

Ex-chief of Westar worth $31.7 million
Saturday, January 25, 2003
In his last year as Westar Energy Inc.'s top executive, the net worth of David Wittig's family was nearly $31.7 million, according to a record filed in his federal criminal case.

Attorney says lawsuit against Westar isn't broad enough
Tuesday, January 21, 2003
An attorney who has been critical of Westar Energy Inc. and its former chairman says he and other lawyers are watching a shareholder lawsuit filed against the company.

Class action lawsuit filed against Westar, executives
Friday, January 17, 2003
A class-action lawsuit filed this week against Westar Energy Inc. charges the company and its top executives with knowingly issuing false and misleading statements about the company's finances.
The lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Topeka charges that those statements cost hundreds or thousands of people to lose money because Westar securities sold at artificially high prices.

Westar may sell Protection One
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Westar Energy Inc., the largest electric utility in Kansas and under pressure by regulators to restructure, said Monday it may sell its controversial security services company Protection One Inc.

Westar seeks more time on debt
Saturday, January 11, 2003
Westar Energy Inc. told state regulators Friday it couldn't meet a deadline for reducing its debt and asked that its chief executive be allowed to give new testimony about the company's finances.

Westar chief: Regulators overly tough
Wednesday, January 8, 2003
James Haines, the new chief executive of Westar Energy Inc., says state regulators are being tougher than they need to be in directing the company to reduce its $3.6 billion debt.

Judge tosses Westar lawsuit over contract with attorney
Saturday, January 4, 2003
A state judge has dismissed a lawsuit Westar Energy filed against a Topeka attorney about legal fees. The dispute was about a five-year contract between Westar and attorney Donald Barry for legal services.

Westar Energy spokesman quits to resume lobbying
Wednesday, January 1, 2003
Westar Energy Inc.'s chief spokesman has stepped down to return to work as a lobbyist and consultant.

Group seeks public Westar audit
Saturday, December 28, 2002
Some of Westar Energy Inc.'s largest electric customers want to make sure the public sees the results of any investigation into the company's management.

Westar receives new subpoena
Friday, December 27, 2002
A federal agency is investigating transactions involving Westar Energy Inc. and a Louisiana utility that has acknowledged making inappropriate trades of electrical power.
Westar disclosed Thursday it received a subpoena from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Dec. 16. Westar said the subpoena sought details about trades involving Cleco Corp., headquartered in the central Louisiana city of Pineville.

KCC rejects Westar's request for flexibility
Wednesday, December 25, 2002
Regulators have resoundingly denied Westar Energy Inc.'s request for leniency in meeting the Kansas Corporation Commission's demands to reduce the company's debt.

Westar names operations chief
Saturday, December 21, 2002
Financially troubled Westar Energy Inc. announced Friday that William B. Moore, 50, had been named executive vice president and chief operations officer.

Westar: Reorganization might violate debt agreements
Saturday, December 14, 2002
Westar Energy Inc. warned state regulators Friday an order requiring the company to reorganize could force it to violate agreements concerning its more than $3 billion in debt.

Westar taps banker as chairman
Friday, December 13, 2002
A current member of Westar Energy's board of directors -- Charles Q. Chandler IV -- has been appointed chairman of the electric utility's board to replace David Wittig, who resigned last month. Wittig, 47, had been Westar's president, chief executive officer and board chairman. But he resigned in the face of federal charges that he was part of a scheme to defraud a Topeka bank on a $1.5 million loan. He has pleaded innocent to the charges. The allegations are not related to Westar's business.

Westar to pay Wittig at least $13.1M
Wednesday, December 11, 2002
Westar Energy Inc.'s former top two executives - one of whom faces a federal bank fraud charge - could receive nearly $58 million from the company under employment agreements disclosed Tuesday.

Photos reveal elaborate work at Wittig house
Saturday, December 7, 2002
Forget about "This Old House." David Wittig's home renovations, long the subject of rumor and speculation, look like something out of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous."

Westar Energy vice president put on leave
Saturday, December 7, 2002
Westar Energy Inc. announced Friday it had placed its executive vice president on indefinite administrative leave without pay, and that he had also resigned from the company's board of directors.

Regulators seek salary details at Westar
Friday, December 6, 2002
Westar Energy Inc. officials said Thursday they would comply with a request from regulators to divulge the details of compensation agreements with top executives, including former president David Wittig.
Company spokesman Doug Lawrence said the company would not challenge the Kansas Corporation Commission's order, issued Wednesday. However, Westar is exploring whether some compensation information must be filed under confidential seal.

CEO: Westar recovery not a ‘fool's errand'
Sunday, December 1, 2002
Reducing debt. Improving employee morale. Rebuilding relationships. Erasing the past. They're all priorities for James Haines Jr., new president and chief executive of Westar Inc.

Request for Westar probe pulled
Thursday, November 28, 2002
Kansas' biggest industrial electric customers withdrew a request Wednesday for an investigation of Westar Energy Inc.'s management and rates, citing the appointment of a new chief executive officer.
Jim Zakoura, attorney for the Kansas Industrial Consumers, asked the Kansas Corporation Commission to refrain from ordering a rate investigation to give Westar's new management time to address the company's financial situation.

Westar replaces Wittig
Sunday, November 24, 2002

Wittig resigns Westar post
Saturday, November 23, 2002
David Wittig, under indictment on federal fraud and money-laundering charges, resigned Friday as president and chief executive officer of Westar Energy Inc.

Westar chief pleads innocent
Wednesday, November 20, 2002
Westar Energy chief executive David Wittig and a former bank officer pleaded innocent Tuesday to illegally steering a $1.5 million loan for Wittig into a real estate investment for the banker.

Indictment details allegations against Wittig, Topeka banker
Wednesday, November 20, 2002
Here's a look at the allegations contained in the federal grand jury indictment against David Wittig and Clinton Odell Weidner II.

Wittig faces federal court hearing today
Tuesday, November 19, 2002
Suspended Westar Energy chief executive David Wittig faces a federal court hearing while a company document raised questions about the investigation leading to his indictment.

Westar board member retires
Saturday, November 16, 2002
Beleagured Westar Energy Inc. on Friday announced the retirement of a long-serving board member and provided more details about a federal grand jury probe into its operations.
John C. Dicus, a prominent banker and Kansas University alumnus who has been on Westar's board since 1990, was leaving to focus on other business interests, according to a statement from Westar.

Executives leading Westar in Wittig's absence
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Senior officials at Westar Energy Inc. are operating the state's largest electric company in the absence of top executive David Wittig, who faces federal fraud charges.

Westar reports third-quarter earnings increase
Tuesday, November 12, 2002
Westar Energy Inc., ordered by state regulators to reorganize, on Monday reported a 21 percent increase in its third-quarter earnings, due in part to hot September weather.

KCC orders Westar to restructure
Saturday, November 9, 2002
In an unprecedented move, Kansas utility regulators Friday ordered the restructuring of financially troubled Westar Energy Inc., one day after it was rocked by the indictment of its president and chief executive, David Wittig.

Westar chief indicted
Friday, November 8, 2002
David Wittig was a golden boy -- a Kansas University graduate who excelled on Wall Street and returned home to lead a respected electric utility company, the state's largest. He even moved into the former mansion of Alf Landon, one of Kansas' most famous statesmen. His friend Clinton Odell "Del" Weidner II, a former KU football player, rose to be president of Capital City Bank, helping develop the institution into a major player in Topeka.

KCC orders restructuring for Westar
Friday, November 8, 2002
(Updated Thursday at 12:58 p.m.) TOPEKA -- Kansas utility regulators Friday ordered the restructuring of financially troubled Westar Energy Inc., one day after the state's largest electric company was rocked by the indictment of its president and chief executive, David Wittig.

Westar CEO indicted by federal grand jury
Thursday, November 7, 2002
(Updated Thursday at 12:58 p.m.) David Wittig, Westar Energy's top executive, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Topeka on fraud charges involving his own personal affairs.

Westar faces investigation
Saturday, September 28, 2002
Federal authorities have opened an investigation into Westar Energy, capping a week of setbacks for the state's largest electric utility.

6News video report: Westar Energy receives federal subpoena
Saturday, September 28, 2002
6News reports on the federal investigation into Westar Energy.

Westar under federal grand jury probe
Friday, September 27, 2002
(Updated Thursday at 12:59 p.m.) TOPEKA � Westar Energy, the largest electric utility in Kansas, is under investigation by a federal grand jury, according to documents filed by the company.

6News video: Utility regulators want to restructure Westar
Friday, September 27, 2002
Westar's financial problems prompt concern among the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Wittig pay cut?
Saturday, December 15, 2001

Forbes magazine critical of Wittig's reign at Western
Saturday, June 23, 2001
Business mistakes and public relations blunders led to a fall from grace for the top executive at Western Resources Inc. and created problems for the company, an article in the new edition of Forbes magazine contends.