Conour still seeking counsel, may proceed pro se at resentencing

Convicted fraudster and former attorney William Conour may be forced to proceed pro se at his second resentencing later this month if his continued search for legal representation is unsuccessful.

Conour told Indiana Southern District Judge Richard Young that he has reached out to possible counsel, an attorney with ties to Indiana University, but has not yet heard whether the attorney is willing or able to represent him.

A former leading Indianapolis personal injury and wrongful death attorney, Conour appeared in Young’s court Wednesday in handcuffs and a chain around his waist. He told the judge he was referred to the possible attorney by a contact at the University of Cincinnati, who is not admitted to the Indiana bar and, thus, could not represent him.

Conour has proceeded pro se and with representation of numerous private and public defenders at different points in his six-year legal battle, which began with his 2012 indictment on wire fraud charges and led to his eventual guilty plea. He was accused of stealing at least millions from at least 25 clients and using the money to fund a lavish lifestyle.

The case has proceeded through multiple appeals, the most recent of which resulted in the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals vacating his 10-year sentence after finding Conour was not given the opportunity to allocute. Conour was originally sentenced in October 2013 and has a standing order to pay more than  $6.5 million in restitution to his victims.

Though he is still seeking counsel, Conour told Young he wanted to proceed with his resentencing with or without an attorney. The judge tentatively scheduled the resentencing hearing for 11 a.m. March 22, but assistant U.S. attorney Jason Bohm told the court he would soon be leaving the U.S. Attorney’s Office and would have to confirm that his replacement counsel could be available at that time.