Stanford gets public defender

Someone needs to remind R. Allen Stanford that he isn't rich any more. Getting ready to stand trial for a variety of hefty charges, he wanted a strong attorney, particularly Robert Luskin, the Washington-based legal guru who represented Karl Rove. Instead, he's been appointed a federal public defender, according to an Associated Press report.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner tapped the Houston defender's office when Stanford's previous attorney, Dick DeGuerin, indicated that he wanted to withdraw from the case, citing worries that he would not get paid. Luskin has expressed the same concerns.