A former top executive in bankrupt energy giant Enron’s finance division today admitted money laundering and wire fraud when he appeared in a Texas court.

A top lieutenant to Enron’s former chief financial officer will today plead guilty to criminal charges, sources close to the investigation in the US said.

Former Enron executive Michael Kopper is to plead guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges, the first admission of guilt in the federal investigation of the fallen energy giant.