A federal judge has denied a former Seymour lawyer’s bid to be released from prison while he appeals a money laundering conviction.
Ralph Crozier, 63, has been imprisoned at Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution in New Jersey since April on a 30-month prison sentence after he was found guilty of hiding $41,000 in drug money for a former client, Bruce Yazdzik.
Background
Federal agents raided Crozier’s office and arrested him on charges of conspiracy and attempted money laundering — the “washing” of drug money by pretending it came from legit business —in April 2013.
The raid came minutes after Crozier had taken $11,000 in cash from Yazdzik’s mother, who was wearing a wire, and had been given the money by DEA agents.
A jury took about a day to find Crozier guilty of both charges.
Click here to read stories about the trial.
Release Denied
In July Crozier’s lawyer filed an appeal of the conviction and asked U.S. District Judge Janet Hall to release Crozier while the appeal is pending.
Federal prosecutors opposed Crozier’s request, saying his appeal would likely fail.
In a five-page ruling Sept. 8, Judge Hall agreed with prosecutors.
Crozier’s lawyer, Michael Hillis, argued in an appeal brief that Judge Hall should have allowed Crozier to represent himself at trial as co-counsel along with Hillis. He also argued the judge should have acquitted Crozier after federal prosecutors presented their case at trial.
In her ruling, Judge Hall said not allowing Crozier to represent himself was within her discretion.
The judge also ruled that the evidence presented at trial was sufficient for the jury to convict Crozier.
“Thus, Crozier has not raised a ‘substantial question of law or fact,’” Judge Hall ruled.
The judge’s ruling is posted below.
The appeal itself is still pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Arguments have not yet been scheduled in the case.
