Updated: 10/16/2009 12:22 AM KSTP.com | Print |  Email
By: Becky Nahm

Petters Files 2nd Venue Change Request in 2 Days

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Comments like, "Lock up this scum bag" and "See ya Tommy boy" found on a newspaper website are the basis for Tom Petters' second change of venue request in two days.

Attorneys for Petters, who's accused of running a massive Ponzi scheme, said news coverage and comments posted on web sites about that coverage prove the need for a change of venue.

Wednesday, the government submitted a pretrial brief. The brief outlined the goverment's case against Petters. It mentioned an email Petters allegedly wrote to Deanna Coleman who later cooperated with law enforcement. The email described Petters' remorse and shame for wrong doings.

In their motion filed Thursday, Petters' attorneys cited a Star Tribune article on the government's filing, including its title which read, "Desperate Petters 'Full of Shame.'"

They also pointed out the comments left by readers on the Star Tribune web site.

Petters' attorneys also accused the government of trying to sway the public by filing the brief in the first place.

The change of venue request submitted Wednesday also cited media coverage. It said, "one year after the "secret" federal investigation commenced, Mr. Petters' name continues to be a mainstay for media headlines."

A judge denied an initial change of venue request in March. But he left open the possibility for a change of venue, if an impartial jury couldn't be seated.

Petters, the founder and former CEO of Petters Group Worldwide, is accused of running a $3.5 billion Ponzi scheme. When investigators seized company assets, Petters Group companies were unable to repay their creditors.

Petters was indicted on 20 counts. He pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to go on trial Oct. 26.