Nacchio prosecutors ask for appeal extension
By Andy Vuong
Denver Post
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Article Last Updated: 03/19/2008 01:12:21 PM MDT

The government has asked for a 30-day extension to file its appeal of the reversal of former Qwest chief executive Joe Nacchio insider trading conviction.

Prosecutors are considering petitioning for the entire 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear the case, according to today's filing.  A three-judge panel this week overturned Nacchio's conviction on 19 counts of insider trading and granted him a new trial.

The government initially had 14 days after Monday's ruling to file the rehearing petition.  Prosecutors are seeking an extension to April 30.

Nacchio, 58, remains free on $2 million bond.

The panel decided 2-1 to overturn Nacchio's conviction because the trial judge erred in not allowing expert testimony from a defense witness.

Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_8626951