HOUSTON -- Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling accused the government of twisting the facts about the failed energy giant.

Skilling made the assertion during questioning from his lawyer Thursday as he spent his fourth day on the witness stand during his fraud and conspiracy trial in Houston.

A visibly angry Skilling struggled to hold his temper at being pegged a liar and a crook by federal prosecutors.

His comments came as defense lawyer Daniel Petrocelli led him through the government's indictment.

The former Enron chief executive told the jury at his criminal trial in Houston that he was devastated that the company he cherished had become a symbol for scandal.

He said he was innocent of conspiring to defraud investors.

And he said Enron "now is used as a term for everything wrong."

Skilling is accused of playing down bad news in 2001 so that investors and Wall Street would remain bullish on failing Enron ventures in broadband and retail energy.

Skilling will face cross-examination Monday.

Skilling and Enron Founder Kenneth Lay are accused of repeatedly lying to investors and employees about Enron's financial health. Prosecutors say the men knew fraudulent accounting created a facade of success.

Lay plans to testify later this month.

Skilling faces 28 counts of fraud, conspiracy, insider trading and lying to auditors for allegedly lying about Enron's financial strength.

Lay faces six counts of fraud and conspiracy for perpetuating the alleged scheme after Skilling resigned in August 2001.

They say they did nothing wrong.