Landlord Miell given a court-appointed attorney

Former Cedar Rapids landlord Robert Miell hasn't retained a private attorney as required by a federal judge two weeks ago, so the judge in Miell's case today ordered a court-appointed attorney to be assigned to him.

Miell, 55, of Cedar Rapids, has had over two months to retain an attorney for his tax and mail fraud sentencing. The sentencing hearing started in September, but was delayed because Miell's attorneys asked to withdraw from the case on the last day of the hearing. Miell insisted on testifying, and the attorneys thought it was not in his best interest.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Jon Scoles told Miell he would be required to reimburse the government at some point for the attorney's services. Scoles said Miell could still pursue a private attorney, but appointing an attorney will “move the process along.”

Miell was convicted in January of two counts of tax fraud and pleaded guilty before trial to 18 counts of mail fraud and two counts of perjury in fraudulent insurance claims of $336,000 in storm damage on 145 properties.