Magistrate orders Cedar Rapids landlord to re-evaluate witness list

A federal magistrate today sent a Cedar Rapids landlord and his attorneys back to the “drawing board” to come up with a list of witnesses for his tax and mail fraud sentencing that are relevant to the issues of sentencing.

Robert Miell, 55, of Cedar Rapids, filed about 140 witnesses and exhibits that he plans to call for his two day sentencing hearing Aug. 17, but the government objected to the list because most were not relevant to the sentencing.

Magistrate Jon Scoles ruled during a hearing today that Miell's attorneys Alfredo Parrish and Trevor Anderson identify a list of witnesses and specify how they are relevant to the sentencing issues. He also directed Miell to take their list and add any witnesses he feels are relevant but he and the attorneys must comply to U.S. District Judge Bennett's order.

Miell and the attorneys are to file their joint list by July 2 and then the government will have 14 days to file objections.

Miell  pleaded guilty to 18 counts of mail fraud and two counts of perjury, and in January 2009 he was convicted by a jury of two counts of tax fraud. The charges stem from his fraudulent reports to American Family Insurance of more than $336,000 in storm damage at 145 properties.

His sentencing started last September but was continued after Miell had a disagreement with his attorneys about him testifying.