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The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York upheld the
2014 conviction of Charles Huggins, who a jury found guilty on
wire fraud and conspiracy counts. But it said that a lower court
judge incorrectly calculated his sentence.
Jonathan Savella, a lawyer for Huggins, said he was "pleased
with the outcome insofar as it will allow him to seek a lower
sentence." He said Huggins, 70, has been in custody since being
convicted in October 2014.
A spokesman for Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara declined
to comment.
Prosecutors said Huggins, of Edgewater, New Jersey, stole
millions of dollars from his victims while falsely promising to
invest their money in gold and diamonds from Africa.
Instead, he used the proceeds to finance an expensive lifestyle,
including a Mercedes Benz, a luxury Manhattan apartment and
high-end restaurant bills, authorities said.
Altogether, investors lost more than $8 million, prosecutors
said.
Among the victims was former National Football League star
Emmitt Smith, according to court papers. Another former NFL
player, Ken Hamlin, testified for the government at Huggins'
trial.
Huggins was once married to soul singer Melba Moore, who
submitted a video in his support to U.S. District Judge Sidney
Stein before sentencing.
The case is U.S. v. Huggins, 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals,
No. 15-1676
(Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; editing by Grant McCool)
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