Federal appeals court to hear arguments in P.G. Sittenfeld case
A federal appeals court in Cincinnati will hear arguments Thursday about whether P.G. Sittenfeld's convictions for bribery and attempted extortion should stand.
Sittenfeld, the former Democratic Cincinnati city councilman, is now five months into a 16-month prison sentence. He has asked the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to throw out his convictions.
A three-judge panel made up of appointees of former President Donald Trump will hear the case: John Bush, John Nalbandian and Eric Murphy.
Oral arguments are set to begin at 9 a.m.
Typical politics or campaign crime?
Sittenfeld's defense has remained consistent since he was indicted in 2020. He says his actions were typical of politics − he was raising money for future campaigns.
If his convictions are allowed to stand, his attorneys say in documents filed in his appeal, it would usher in "a First Amendment Ice Age," where every politician could face prosecution for fundraising.
Federal prosecutors say Sittenfeld's goals for higher office led him to accept $20,000 in donations to his political action committee in exchange for his official support of a Downtown development project.
Accepting the money in exchange for an official act amounted to an illegal quid pro quo, prosecutors said.
Former attorneys general under three Republican presidents, the former head federal prosecutor for the southern half of Ohio and a collection of law professors with expertise in public corruption were among those who filed amicus briefs in support of Sittenfeld. The briefs argued that the convictions had criminalized typical political fundraising.
What's next for P.G. Sittenfeld case
A decision won't come for some time, possibly after Sittenfeld completes his prison term. He sought a speedy review of case, but that was rejected. The decision impacts Sittenfeld's future because a felony conviction prevents him from holding public office ever again.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: PG Sittenfeld appeal: 6th Circuit to hear arguments Thursday
