Prosecutors declined to talk about the sentencing but did confirm the number of years they’ll ask Common Pleas Judge John Andrew West to consider when rendering his decision.
Wright State University political science professor John Feldmeier, a Cincinnati attorney who teaches constitutional and criminal law, said it’s not an unusual request.
“If you’re asking for eight years, it doesn’t mean you’re going to get it, but that doesn’t shock me under the circumstances,” he said. “There’s no kind of one-size-fits-all when it comes to sentencing.”
Beck, who also previously served as Mason mayor, spent 43 days over the course of 10 weeks sitting at the defense table listening to scores of people say he was an integral part of an alleged investment scheme. Many of those witnesses are plaintiffs in a civil case filed in 2013.
Three of those plaintiff’s — a group of investment bankers prosecutors called “The Three Amigos” — were called out by West in his ruling, saying their testimony of their second investment into Christopher Technologies “is exaggerated, untruthful and therefore, of little weight.”
Charges against Beck initially were related to securities fraud and theft, following a July 2013 indictment, but the Ohio Attorney General sought a second superseding indictment and in February 2014, 54 additional charges were brought forward. The prosecution eventually dropped the initial 16 charges, and amended in the middle of the 10-week trial the superseding indictment down to 39 charges, which included corruption, theft, money laundering, perjury, telecommunications fraud and several securities-related violations.
Beck was found guilty on three theft charges, three securities-related charges and seven perjury charges.
If sentenced to consecutively, Beck could face nearly 50 years in prison as the securities-related charges each carry a 10-year maximum sentence.
Once Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge John Andrew West renders his decision on sentencing, Beck has 30 days to file a notice of appeal, according to Feldmeier.
That document “preserves the right to appeal” and “ensures they’re going to get their second day in court in front of a three-judge panel,” Feldmeier said.
Then when the notice is filed, a schedule would be set for the court to review the case. With 43 trial days, around 30 witnesses testifying and more than 500 pieces of evidence, it would take months for the 1st District Court of Appeals.
It will be up to West if Beck is incarcerated while he files an appeal, said Feldmeier. He said Beck’s attorneys could ask to stay the execution of the sentence — assuming he is sentenced to jail time — pending any appeal.
Feldmeier said Beck is allowed to remain out on bond during his appeal — which could take several months, if not longer — but only if the judge feels he is no immediate threat to the community or has a good chance for a successful appeal.
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