By the Associated Press
Arizona Summer Wildcat
June 19, 1996
PHOENIX - Gov. Fife Symingtoncould face 340 years in prison if convicted of the 23 counts of wire fraud, filing false financial statements, attempted extortion and bankruptcy fraud he was indicted for Thursday.The govenor is scheduled for arraignment July 10 before U.S. Magistrate Barry Silverman. Under federal rules, Symington's trial must begin by Sept. 11 unless he asks for an extension. Prosecutors expect the trial to last 10 weeks.
The case has been reassigned to U.S. District Judge Roger Strand. Judge Stephen McNamee, removed himself for unspecified reasons.
A case summary filed in U.S. District Court details the maximum sentences Symington could face. Prosecutors said sentencing guidelines differed among periods the charges cover, making it difficult for them to cite possible penalties.
According to the case summary, however, Symington could face 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for each conviction, if any, under the six counts accusing him of making false statements to financial institutions in 1991 and 1992.
Other possibilities include:
- 20 years and a $1 million fine per count on five additional counts of making false statements to financial institutions in 1989 and 1990.
- 20 years and a $250,000 fine on the single count of attempted extortion.
- 5 years and $250,000 fine per count on five counts of wire fraud in 1990 and 1991.
- 5 years and $250,000 fine on a single count of bankruptcy fraud in which he is accused of having lied under oath during a U.S. Bankruptcy Court deposition last fall.
- 2 years and $250,000 fine per count on five counts of making false statements to financial institutions from 1986 to January 1989.