Andersen saw the case as limited to the Enron document destruction, with its past conduct not at issue.

Andersen reacted by destroying Enron documents, and on 15 June a guilty verdict was reached in an obstruction of justice case.

He appeared before television cameras with a box of shredded Enron documents just when the scandal around the company was beginning to unfold.

Andersen was later indicted on charges of destroying thousands of Enron documents.

It was not immediately clear, however, how the Enron documents would help the state recover the billions it says it is owed.

First, a judge ruled that a series of accounting scandals at the firm could be presented to the jury as motive for its destruction of Enron documents.

Arthur Andersen tried yesterday to salvage its reputation by firing a partner who it said had directed the destruction of Enron documents.

Concerns about Andersen's handling of Enron documents have been growing for several days, according to a Congressional staff member.

It did not say, however, whether the destruction of the Enron documents had been in compliance with its policy.

The experts say they cannot overstate the importance of Andersen's efforts to salvage its public persona, after the company acknowledged destroying Enron documents.