New evidence sought in Ohio coin dealer's appeal

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A lawyer trying to win a new trial for the central figure in a state investment scandal wants to gather new evidence, but the Ohio Attorney General’s office is opposed.

Tom Noe, former coin dealer and Republican fundraiser, is serving 18 years in prison. He was convicted in 2006 of stealing from a $50 million rare-coin fund he oversaw for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Atty. Rick Kerger maintains that the trial court made errors, and he has appealed to the U.S. District Court in Toledo to release Noe. The Blade reports Kerger filed a motion this week saying he would like new witness testimony and asking for a conference.

The attorney general’s office filed a response saying the court should only consider the evidence already available.