Washington ? Accounting firm Arthur Andersen, facing trial on a criminal obstruction charge related to the shredding of Enron Corp. documents, is renewing efforts to settle the case with the government.

Andersen lawyer Rusty Hardin said Thursday the firm had sent a letter to the Justice Department laying out its position in response to the government’s request last week.

“We sent them a letter and just simply provided them our presentation on what conditions … a succeeding company could survive under” if a settlement were reached that deferred prosecution of Andersen, Hardin said by telephone from Houston.

Justice spokesman Bryan Sierra would confirm only that the department had received a letter from the accounting firm. Officials are reviewing it and preparing a response, he said.

Andersen is scheduled to go on trial May 6 in Houston on the obstruction of justice charge.