Hearing for former Westar Energy executives delayed again

? A pretrial hearing for two former Westar Energy executives accused of looting the utility has been postponed for the second time in less than 10 days.

Federal prosecutors and lawyers for David Wittig and Douglas Lake were scheduled to argue several pending issues Thursday, including specific evidence and where the two men’s third trial will be held.

Wittig was chief executive officer of Westar and Lake was his top strategy officer. They’re charged with conspiracy and several counts of circumventing internal controls to hide their actions.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that U.S. District Judge Julie A. Robinson set the next hearing date for Aug. 19. The two men are scheduled to go on trial for a third time on Sept. 20.

Their first trial ended in a hung jury and a conviction in their second trial was overturned.