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Lawyer testifies in his own defense in federal extortion trial
CLEVELAND
Atty. Neal Atway testified in his own defense Thursday in the federal court trial in which he and his downtown Youngstown law partner, Scott Cochran, are charged with extortion and obstructing justice.
Jury selection occurred Feb. 20 and opening statements Feb. 23, with the government concluding its case Wednesday in the trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr.
Atway, 47, of Youngstown, and Cochran, 43, of Austintown, could spend the rest of their lives in prison if they’re convicted.
They’re both charged with two counts each of violating the Hobbs Act — extortion by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence or fear.
They also face two counts each of conspiring to tamper with a witness, victim or informant, and one count each of lying to FBI agents investigating this case.
A co-defendant, Mohd Rawhneh, 54, of Boardman, a convenience store owner, pleaded guilty last May to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and awaits sentencing.
The trial of Atway and Cochran will resume at 9 a.m. Monday.
Cochran is a former Mahoning County Bar Association president.
Atway and Cochran are accused of trying to extort money for Rawhneh from another convenience store owner, Charles B. Muth, 42, of Canfield, a defendant in criminal cases, who was being represented by Atway and Cochran.
Muth was having a business dispute with Rawhneh.
The indictment says Rawhneh and Atway led Muth to believe that, unless Rawhneh got money and property from Muth and Muth’s stores, Rawhneh would appear at Muth’s sentencings and tell the judges facts that could result in harsher sentences for Muth.
Rawhneh, Muth and FBI Agent Deane Hassman were among 11 witnesses who testified for the government in the trial of Atway and Cochran.
In a federal case, Muth got five months in prison for growing 100 marijuana plants in his home.
In a state case, Muth got 18 months in prison in a Dec. 28, 2011, shooting at the Boardman home of Rawhneh’s ex-wife, in which nobody was hurt.