Petters' attorneys ordered to stay on the case

Tom Petters
Tom Petters was chairman and CEO of Petters Group Worldwide. He's in jail, accused of running a $3.5 billion Ponzi scheme to defraud investors.
Photo courtesy of Petters Group Worldwide

Defense attorneys for Minnesota businessman Tom Petters have to stay on the case. The judge in the case this morning denied their request to quit.

The lawyers had claimed the government prevented them from being paid from Tom Petters' frozen assets.

In his ruling, the judge said all of the attorneys' requests for payment have been met. He ruled their request is premature.

Petters' lawyers have said their fees top $560,000 so far, and the final cost could top $5 million.

Last week, prosecutors said they're concerned that there will be few assets left for victim restitution if the defense team's fees aren't limited. Petters is accused of running a $3.5 billion Ponzi scheme. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is set to start in June.

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