Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

New Trial Denied for Ex-Ohio State Lawmaker

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request for a new trial for former state Rep. Peter Beck of Mason who served 16 months in prison after being convicted in 2015 on charges of defrauding investors in a computer software company.

By Jack Torry

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request for a new trial for former state Rep. Peter Beck of Mason who served 16 months in prison after being convicted in 2015 on charges of defrauding investors in a computer software company.

By doing so, the justices Monday appear to have brought the case to a conclusion for Beck, a Republican who resigned his seat in 2014 after being indicted on 16 felony charges.

A state court convicted him of 13 counts and sentenced him to four years in prison, but a state appeals court in 2016 overturned 10 of those charges.

The court approved three counts of theft. A state judge then ordered Beck released at the end of 2016.

Richard Kerger, a Toledo attorney who filed the appeal to the Supreme Court on behalf of Beck, said Beck could still pursue a post-conviction appeal in federal court but "that possibility has not yet been determined."

The justices issued the ruling without any comment.

(c)2018 The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio)

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
From Our Partners