Federal Judge Brian Miller has rejected Mike Maggio’s request for a delay in his order that he report to U.S. marshals by Wednesday afternoon to begin serving his 10-year bribery sentence.
Defendant Michael A. Maggio’s motion to continue his surrender scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, 2017, is denied. Maggio was released pending appeal, and he has had an opportunity to present his arguments on appeal. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction and his sentence. Maggio must surrender as directed in his order to surrender.
Maggio’s attorney, John W. Hall, had asked for more time to complete a rehearing request before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and also said there were potential issues that might merit a U.S. Supreme Court review. Those appeals can continue, but Maggio will begin serving his prison time for allowing political campaign contributions influence his decision to reduce a unanimous jury verdict in a nursing home negligence case from $5.2 million to $1 million. The money came from nursing home owner Michael Morton and was arranged by former Republican Sen. Gilbert Baker. Neither has been charged and both have contended no quid pro quo was intended by the campaign contributions that came as Maggio was considering whether to reduce the verdict.
A federal investigation continues as does a civil lawsuit against Morton and Baker by the family of a woman who died after failing to receive a doctor’s ordered care at Morton’s nursing home in Greenbrier.