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Ringleader in sports memorabilia fraud case claims his guilty plea was coerced
By Justin Wier
YOUNGSTOWN
A former Canfield man who led what prosecutors called one of the largest eBay fraud cases in history claims his guilty plea was coerced.
In April, Judge Maureen A. Sweeney sentenced Clifton Panezich, 31, to a six-year prison sentence on several charges including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
His attorney filed a brief Monday in Ohio’s Seventh District Court of Appeals appealing his conviction.
Panezich “had his bail unlawfully increased, ... his mother incarcerated and his privilege against self-incrimination repeatedly violated ... in order to induce a guilty plea,” the brief states.
It claims prosecutors repeatedly stated in open court that Panezich confessed despite his only making a statement to law enforcement during a proffer interview that afforded Panezich protection.
It further argues that prosecutors used that confession to obtain an indictment and to increase Panezich’s bond from $100,000 to $500,000.
The court also ordered Panezich to remain in Mahoning County; he lived in Henderson, Nev., at the time of his arrest.
The brief calls the bail “excessive” and claims it was issued “in retaliation for his decision to decline a plea offer.”
Finally, it claims Panezich’s mother, Rose, who also pleaded guilty to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and received three years’ probation, was held in jail indefinitely on a “purported probation violation” until Panezich pleaded guilty.
Under these conditions, the brief argues Panezich did not believe he had a chance to receive a fair trail and involuntarily pleaded guilty.
The Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office will have the opportunity to respond to Panezich’s brief.
Panezich’s conviction resulted from Operation Stolen Base, a four-year investigation into fraudulent sports memorabilia on eBay that led to the convictions of 12 people.
Panezich and his co-defendants defrauded 30,000 victims with more than $2 million worth of merchandise, investigators said.
Earlier this year, Canfield city police announced their intention to donate sports equipment seized from Panezich’s Nevada apartment to organizations serving local kids in need, but said the donations will have to wait until judges settle the appeal.