Jamie Olis’ Attorney Asks For Lake’s Recusal

Convicted former Dynegy executive Jamie Olis’ §2255 Motion to Vacate is pending before US District Judge Sim Lake (earlier). The Houston Chronicle’s Legal Trade blog reports that Olis’ attorney Lloyd Kelley has written Lake a seven-page private letter asking him to recuse himself:

Kelley’s basic argument seems to be that Lake was too close to the late Mike Shelby, who was the local U.S. Attorney when Olis was prosecuted. Shelby suffered greatly with cancer and eventually took his own life. Kelley notes that Lake and Shelby went to the same schools, served in the military and worked at the same law firm (all at different times) and that Lake swore in Shelby. Kelley argues that Shelby’s demise must cloud Lake’s judgment on the Olis case.

Kelley had requested that Lake respond by Friday (Olis’ reply to the government’s response to his motion is due Monday), but Lake on Thursday filed an order giving the letter to the US Attorney’s office and asking for a response within 20 days.