Former Bank of America official asks to remain free pending sentencing

Attorneys for former Bank of America Vice President Robert Conner, who was convicted last week on 36 counts of bank and credit card fraud, are asking that he be released on bond pending sentencing. In documents filed Tuesday in U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Conner's attorney wrote:

Conner has three small children by his ex-wife Jada. In addition, Conner has been living at home with his mother and father. For the Court’s information, his father is retired and his mother runs a daycare center. In addition, he was well aware of the fact that he was being investigated and was going to be indicted and never fled. Given his family connections and his prior conduct in connection with this prosecution, it is clear that Conner is not likely to flee if released on bond pending sentencing.

Government attorney Matthew Schelp, in a response filed Wednesday, said Conner should remain behind bars:

In this matter a jury convicted defendant of 36 counts of bank fraud and credit
card fraud. Defendant faces a significant period of prison time for the offenses. The statutory maximum for each count of bank fraud is 30 years, while each count of credit access device fraud carries a ten year maximum. Additionally, a preliminary
calculation calls for prison time in excess of 100 months. As such, it is obvious that defendant’s status is far different from when he was awarded a bond in this matter prior to trial.
Moreover, as this Court is aware from the presentation of the evidence, there is a
significant amount of cash proceeds from this crime that remain unaccounted for in this case.
Additionally, the government notes that defendant used his ex-wife to commit a structuring
crime in this case and defendant faces mandatory restitution in this matter in excess of $1.5 million.
Given these factors, it is the government’s position that defendant should remain
in custody pending his sentencing by the Honorable Court.
Should this Court deem defendant worthy of a bond pending sentencing, the
government suggests that the terms of defendant’s bond should be extensively modified. The government suggests that any bond should be secured by his parent’s home, assuming there is substantial equity. Furthermore, the government further suggests that any bond also contain the requirement that defendant be subject to electronic monitoring.

Among the defendants in this case is Rep. John Bowman, D-St. Louis, who is expected to go to trial in early 2008.

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