Former Fairbanks Mayor Jim Hayes appealing theft conviction
Originally published Monday, May 19, 2008 at 2:13 p.m.
Updated Monday, May 19, 2008 at 11:58 p.m.
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Stumble It!Former Fairbanks city Mayor Jim Hayes has given notice he is appealing his conviction for stealing more than $400,000 in federal grant money.
Hayes, a three-term former mayor, was sentenced to 66 months in prison earlier this month after a jury trial. Prosecutors claimed during the trial that Hayes and his wife, Chris, took the money meant for LOVE Social Services and used it for family spending and building a new $2 million home for the Lily of the Valley Church of God in Christ where Jim Hayes was pastor.
Chris Hayes agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Prosecutors had asked that Jim Hayes be sentenced to eight years in prison, while his attorney said a sentence in the range of 33 months would be more fitting. Several community members wrote to the judge asking for leniency.
The former mayor’s attorney suggested that Chris Hayes was primarily responsible for the embezzlement and that Jim Hayes had no knowledge of her activities. Jim Hayes said at his sentencing that his wife suffered from a mental illness, a claim the federal judge who sentenced him flatly rejected.
The Hayeses have not been ordered to report to prison, though Jim Hayes might remain free during the appellate process if he files a motion and it is approved by a judge. Hayes’ attorney, John Murtagh, would not comment on any aspect of the appeal process, citing his policy of not talking about pending cases.
Andrea Steward, one of the prosecutors on the case, only said that she was not surprised that Hayes was appealing his conviction.
The appeal will be heard by the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, headquartered in San Francisco.
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What a shocker.
Readers,
Just a reminder that we don't allow even abbreviated profanity in comments, even if it's X'd out.
Julie
I hope that he has to report to prision and they dont allow him out on OR while he appeals
He is a thief and deserves to be treated the same
Man up, you know you did wrong!!!!!
>>The appeal will be heard by 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco.<<
They may cut him loose. Anything is possible from that liberal court.
Anything? Maybe even upholding the original conviction?!
I haven't heard much squawking about "liberal courts" these days. Good to know that's making a comeback.
He will not likely escape this conviction. The feds did an exemplary job in this case. He doesn't have any constitutional issues and the facts are against him. Appealing is de rigeur, but far from being a way to escape his punishment. His wife threw a bit of a monkeywrench by trying to claim it was all her, but there are no legal issues raised even by that. He will do his time like any common criminal. I just hope he devotes his time to helping others he encounters in whatever facility to which he is assigned. (no, there is no assurance it will be Oregon) You can be sure he will encounter people who need prayer and spiritual assurance. The chaplains are generally good people but are not allowed to evangelize. So he will find he has a unique calling in the place. If he truly cares about the Lord he will end up able to praise God that he went through this experience. Isn't it funny how the ways of God confound the ways of the wise? If he keeps the faith he will have a very unique and useful testimony.
Julie Stricker: Strikes again...Stay on topic Julie!!!!!
If you comment on ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS...YOU don't get struck by Julie Stricker...Hayes is guilty end of story.
Lets see here Uncle Ted took the money from the fed's and gave it to the "church" .. We either have three thieves or none. To have only 2 is like telling the drug dealer he is clean and the user is the only guilty party.
So all you have to do is become a public figure to get the slap on the hand for a crime,if you were just a regular joe on the street and stole a quartor of what the Hayes did you would already be locked up and appeling your case from behind bars.
politicians!
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denial is a powerful thing Jimbo...
Way to blame all this on your wife Mr. Jim. I see it now, Have the wife Plead guilty then the COWARD Mr. Jim claims he didn't know anything about this and runs for governor. Stand up like a man Mr. Jim and do your time. This persons deceptive ways have finally caught up to him. I've known Jimmy since he and his mother came to Fairbanks in the early 1950's he was 9 and I was 10 he deserves every day he gets plus resitution. I know Jimmy Hayes to be a cheat, a sneak, liar, bully, thief and now finally in the end a COWARD ! Now the man of the house and Pastor tries to blame all of this on his wife, how about taking a look at youself. You finally got caugth Mr. Jim, I pray the judge that looks at this case sees right throught you.
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