Convicted racketeer Pinson to avoid prison – for now

COLUMBIA, SC Jonathan Pinson, convicted last year as being the criminal mastermind in a web of illegal financial schemes including stealing federal money flowing to a Columbia housing development, will get to delay his prison sentence.

Federal Judge David Norton has ordered that Pinson stay free on his own recognizance – meaning he doesn’t have to put up any money – until the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals rules on his appeal.

That could be up to two years. In May, Norton sentenced Pinson to five years in prison.

Norton ordered Pinson stay out of prison over government objections. Prosecutors had argued that although Pinson neither is a flight risk nor poses a danger to the community, any appeal he makes will not raise a “substantial question of law or fact” and isn’t likely to result in a reversal or new trial.

In his ruling, Norton said questions raised by Pinson are serious enough that, if the 4th Circuit decides in his favor, he could win a new trial.

Pinson’s trial lawyer Jim Griffin applauded Norton’s decision. “It would be a shame for Jonathan Pinson to have served a day in jail if the 4th Circuit vacates his conviction.”

This story was originally published August 18, 2015 at 5:27 PM.