Howard O. Kieffer mingled with criminal-defense attorneys at professional conferences, socialized with lawyers at expensive restaurants and boasted about his legal experience.
But as early as 2006, his colleagues became suspicious that Kieffer wasn’t whom he claimed to be.
Kieffer — who is neither licensed to practice law nor a law-school graduate — went on to represent Gwen Bergman, an Aspen woman on trial in May 2008 for trying to have her son’s father killed by a hitman.
On Wednesday, Kieffer went on trial in U.S. District Court in Denver on charges of wire fraud, making false statements and contempt of court. He faces 35 years in prison and $1.25 million in fines if convicted.
Prosecutors say Kieffer took thousands of dollars from Bergman’s family and other clients as part of the fake-lawyer scheme and that he lied to court staff about his credentials. Kieffer claimed he was a graduate of the Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C., but no record of his attendance exists.
Kieffer’s attorney, Nathan Chambers, told jurors that licensing rules vary in different states and federal jurisdictions and asked them not to decide the case on “broad generalities.” Chambers also said Kieffer did not misbehave or engage in wrongdoing during Bergman’s trial.
Senior U.S. District Judge Walker D. Miller, who presided over Bergman’s bench trial, may be called to testify against Kieffer. Bergman’s prosecutors, Dave Connor and Greg Holloway, are also on the witness list.
In June 2008, The Denver Post found Kieffer was not a lawyer and that he represented at least 16 clients in 10 federal jurisdictions.
He was convicted last year of similar charges in the District of North Dakota and sentenced to 51 months in prison.
Felisa Cardona: 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com
