Scripps Heir Gets Hearing on Fraud Trial Counsel’s Effectiveness

Michael Scripps is entitled to a new evidentiary hearing to decide if his appellate counsel was ineffective by not challenging the fact the trial judge didn’t speak to him directly during his sentencing for wire fraud, the Third Circuit said Wednesday.

Scripps was convicted for wire fraud after he transferred millions of dollars into his bank account from the accounts of his mother and autistic uncle, who are heirs to the family’s publishing fortune.

At his sentencing hearing, the judge asked Scripps’ counsel several times if Scripps wanted to speak to the court. Through counsel, Scripps declined, and he was ...