A federal judge has agreed to postpone sentencing for Seymour attorney Ralph Crozier, who was convicted on money-laundering charges in September, until next year.
Crozier, 62, was scheduled for a Dec. 18 sentencing, but it was moved to Feb. 12 after U.S. District Judge Janet Hall granted a request following a Nov. 19 conference call with federal prosecutors and defense attorney Michael Hillis to delay sentencing so Crozier can seek medical attention.
Crozier has said medical specialists need more time to diagnose an unspecified heart condition that forced him to spend a night in the hospital several weeks ago.
The ruling comes on the heels of a Superior Court’s judge’s decision to suspend Crozier’s law license at the beginning of December after a jury found him guilty of conspiracy to launder money instruments and attempt to launder monetary instruments after he invested $30,000 in drug proceeds in a solar panel company on behalf of a former client.
According to court records, a presentencing investigation had already been completed, filed and was sealed by the court a day after Hillis filed the motion to postpone Crozier’s sentencing.
But the recent ruling gives probation officers more time to amend the report.
Superior Court Judge Frank Iannotti has already ruled Crozier can no longer practice law beginning Dec. 5; it’s the fourth license suspension of Crozier’s career. Crozier was suspended after disciplinary officials made use of a new rule that allows for expedited proceedings against lawyers convicted of serious crimes.
Previously, officials had to wait until after sentencing took place to bring disciplinary proceedings against an attorney.
Crozier told the Law Tribune he has spent the weeks since his conviction trying to “cram” in as many trials and other court appearances as he can muster. He hasn’t been allowed to take on new clients or practice in federal court and was instructed to wind up his practice.
Crozier, who is free on $200,000 bond, faces a maximum of 40 years in federal prison and up to a $2 million fine. Even before disciplinary officials sought to have him suspended, Crozier said a criminal conviction would, in effect, be a professional death sentence.
Crozier is the primary provider for his 5‑year-old daughter who has special needs, which some attorneys say could be a factor in him getting a lighter sentence.
Conversely, the judge will also likely consider Crozier’s past criminal record, including a misdemeanor conviction for DUI and offenses related to a probation violation and making a false statement. Crozier spent 93 days in jail in 2010. He has vowed to appeal the federal conviction.
Reprinted with the permission of the CT Law Tribune.
