Defense attorney Brian Edward Dickerson ...whho is this guy?

More than 100 potential jurors report for National Century trial
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 5:43 PM
By Jodi Andes

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


The number of potential jurors for the National Century Financial Enterprises fraud trial continued to be whittled down today.

One hundred and twenty-five jurors reported to federal Judge Algenon L. Marbley’s courtroom this morning. After a series of questions from the judge and Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Squires, all but 45 of the jurors were dismissed.

Many were excused by Marbley because of health reasons, work conflicts that could occur in a trial that might last two months or concerns from the potential jurors themselves that they would not be unbiased.

The 45 who remain, as well as roughly 90 who were not excused Monday, are being asked to report to the courthouse at 8:30 Wednesday. Marbley is allowing defense attorneys a chance to question the group before jury selection begins.

The judge has said several times that he hopes to begin arguments by Wednesday afternoon.

However, late today defense attorney Brian Edward Dickerson told the judge that defense attorneys might have more questions for the jurors than originally thought because of a story that appeared about the trial in Sunday’s Dispatch.

Dickerson and defense attorney Javier Armengau said they were concerned whether the article influenced potential jurors.

Two of the company's three founders, Rebecca S. Parrett and Donald H. Ayers, and former company executives James E. Dierker, Roger S. Faulkenberry and Randolph H. Speer are on trial for charges of fraud, securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

The company's third founder, Lance K. Poulsen, will be tried on 13 counts of fraud in August. He and Karl A. Demmler, who did not work for National Century, are set for trial next month on witness-tampering charges related to the case.

A seventh National Century executive, James K. Happ, is scheduled for trial on fraud charges in October.

In 1991, Ayers, Parrett and Paulsen founded National Century to offer financing to small hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other health-care providers.

National Century agreed to buy the providers' debt, or accounts receivable, giving them cash to cover expenses. The smaller companies didn't have to wait for insurance reimbursements, and National Century kept a fee or percentage of what was collected.

In 2002, the Dublin-based business filed for bankruptcy, and at least 275 health-care companies collapsed.

Assistant U.S. attorneys allege that criminal practices led to National Century's demise. Executives are accused of falsifying financial reports, giving companies money without ever formalizing a loan, and using millions for their own lavish lifestyles.