(Birmingham, AL) Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Greene denied Rev. Gregory Clarke's effort to remain free on bond while he appeals his income tax fraud conviction.Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Greene denied the prominent pastor's effort to remain free on bond while he appeals his income tax fraud conviction.
Clarke, 53, was sentenced to serve 21 months in prison following his July 2007 trial on charges he filed false income tax returns for 2000, 2001 and 2002 tax years.
His attorneys had raised several issues on his behalf, including the racial makeup of the jury pool and whether there was evidence that Clarke used "sophisticated means" in committing the fraud. The judge conducted a Jan. 16 hearing in Birmingham's federal court and requested more information from defense lawyers and prosecutors before denying Clarke's request.
