Cedar Rapids Landlord's Mother Testifies at Sentencing Hearing
By Elizabeth Kutter, Correspondent
Robert K. Miell, 50, Cedar Rapids, leaves the Linn County Courthouse Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004, after appearing in Small Claims Court.
By
Becky Ogann
Story Created:
Aug 17, 2010 at 12:24 PM CST
Story Updated:
Aug 17, 2010 at 12:54 PM CST
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Cedar Rapids landlord Robert Miell’s mother described him during his federal sentencing hearing Tuesday morning as a good boy, a good student and always a hard worker who did everything for himself.
“If I do it, I don’t have to pay for it,” Marilyn Miell, 85, of Toddville, said he told her.
Miell, 55, pleaded guilty in January to 20 counts of mail fraud and perjury in connection with a scheme to defraud American Family Mutual Insurance of $336,000 on 145 hail-damaged properties. He also was found guilty by a jury that month of three additional charges — two of filing false tax returns and one of perjury.
He faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.
Marilyn Miell said her son has changed since he has been held in the Iowa County Jail in Marengo.
“He’s certainly gotten involved with God,” she said.
Miell’s sister, June Locke, 54, of Elburn, Ill., said her brother is different now.
“He says, ‘Don’t be upset, don’t be mad. It’s all God’s plan,’ ” she said.
Miell’s mother and sister said they want him to cooperate with his attorney more and worry about God less. Locke believes her brother may be suffering from mental illness brought on by the stress of the last few years.
Miell, who claimed a net worth of millions, never discussed money at home, Locke said. They learned how much land he had and how much money he was worth from The Gazette, she said.
Miell worked long hours, his mother said. “It’s the way he was raised,” she said.
He likes to accumulate money but he didn’t live a lavish lifestyle, she said. He never bought any new clothes, his mother testified.
“These things (renters) left behind are good enough for me,” she said he told her.
The sentencing hearing is expected to be completed in three days. Judge Mark Bennett expects to issue a lengthy ruling in about a month.
A restitution hearing for those who claim Miell owes them money will be held next week before Judge John Scoles.
Against his attorney’s advice, Miell informed the court he would like to testify for a full day. Bennett said he believes he can restrict the time Miell is allowed to speak but does not anticipate doing that.
Miell is expected to begin his testimony Tuesday afternoon.
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