ST. LOUIS - An attorney representing former St. Louis County planning commission chairman Douglas Morgan is asking a federal judge for guidance in dealing with his client's health problems.
Joseph Hogan of Clayton wrote that Morgan, who was indicted in April on bank fraud charges, "claims to be unable to stand or sit upright for even small amounts of time without suffering physical episodes or passing out."
"Counsel for the defendant is not a licensed physician and can only report to the Court statements made by the defendant in regard to his medical condition," Hogan wrote on Sept. 2.
"Counsel for the defendant has never had this type of issue present itself before and looks to this Honorable Court for guidance on how it wishes to proceed."
Charges filed in the Eastern District of Missouri allege that Morgan cheated bankers by pretending he hadn't blown an inheritance they knew he received.
Morgan also allegedly advanced a secret casino plan in North County, Mo. for himself and offspring of Madison County felons Tom Lakin and Rick Jones.
Morgan suffers from a blood pressure disorder related to his diabetes, court papers say. He has been treated at St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis and its rehabilitation center, as well as at the Cleveland Clinic.
U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry has set trial to begin on Oct. 3.
Morgan was indicted by grand jurors, who in June added wire fraud charges, alleging he took $1.5 million from "J.T.," who thought Morgan would invest it in a North County casino.
Morgan allegedly assured J.T. and others that he secretly supported North County Development in a competition for Missouri's last gaming license.
He allegedly told J.T. that capital contributions of North County Development member Julie McDonald were all obtained from her father, Rick Jones.
Jones had stolen millions from BP, and he served time for failing to declare it as income.
According to the indictment, North County Development applied for a Missouri gaming license so it could build a casino and other attractions on 377 acres in Spanish Lake.
The application identified Kenneth Goldstein, a long time friend of Morgan, as an owner of North County Development.
It identified Brad Lakin, son of Lakin Law Firm founder Thomas Lakin, another long time friend of Morgan, as another owner.
Tom Lakin serves time on drug charges.
The application identified McDonald as third owner.
Morgan didn't disclose his interest or J.T.'s, according to the indictment.
It alleges that three other investors sank $250,000 into the deal.
North County Development withdrew its application prior to public hearings.
Steve Korris contributd to this report.