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Judge Turns Down Appeal In Phony Lawyer Case

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Jun 23, 2009 4:26 pm US/Central

Judge Turns Down Appeal In Phony Lawyer Case

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) ― A federal judge has rejected the appeal of a man convicted of impersonating a lawyer.

Howard O. Kieffer of Duluth, Minn., had asked U.S. District Judge Patrick Conmy to throw out his conviction or order a new trial. Jurors in Bismarck found Kieffer guilty of mail fraud and false statements.

Kieffer's sentencing is set for July 30. He faces up to 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Kieffer's appeal said the evidence did not support the verdict. He accused prosecutors of making improper remarks during closing arguments and said court officials were slow to respond to his request for documents.

Conmy rejected those claims, and wrote in his order, "This was not a close case."

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