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Former strip-club owner Sam Moore’s appeal denied

Posted at 5:10 PM, Nov 28, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-28 22:13:58-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)—A panel of federal judges denied the appeal of former strip club owner Sam Moore.

In 2011, the former owner of strip-club Velvet was convicted by jury for tax offenses relating to tax years 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Moore’s basis appeal was “a significant flaw in the government’s proof at trial such that he is entitled to a judgment of acquittal on Count One and a new trial on Counts Two
and Three.”

He appealed his convictions on various grounds, including sufficiency of the evidence, as well as the district court’s denial of his motion to suppress evidence seized during a search of Club Velvet.

The district court sentenced him to 78 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, and imposed a $250,000 fine. The judge increased Moore’s sentencing, citing obstruction of justice before and during his two week trial.

Judge Robert Payne said, in 2011, that Moore tampered with the grand jury, and also attempted to pay witnesses and asked them to lie.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, the Fourth District Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and sentencing of the district court.

Their ruling is laid out in a 56-page opinion that you can peruse here: http://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/Opinions/Unpublished/114684.U.pdf