Jury selection in R. Allen Stanford’s criminal trial set to begin Sept. 12

If U.S. District Judge David Hittner had reason to sing a song to R. Allen Stanford, he might choose “See You in September,” the 1950 hit by The Tempos. Hittner signed an order on May 10 setting jury selection in Stanford’s trial for Sept. 12. Stanford, former chairman of Stanford Financial Group, faces 14 criminal charges in connection with an alleged plan to defraud investors who purchased Stanford International Bank CDs valued at billions of dollars. On May 4, the government filed a superseding indictment against Stanford. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges in his original indictment of June 2009, but has not been arraigned on the charges in the superseding indictment. Stanford faces a total of 14 counts: one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud; five counts of wire fraud; five counts of mail fraud; one count of conspiracy to obstruct an SEC investigation; one count of obstruction of an SEC investigation; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
-- Brenda Sapino Jeffreys