A former sheriff serving a 10-year prison sentence is asking a judge to prohibit the seizure of $70,000 to pay fines pending an appeal.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports former Rio Arriba County sheriff Tommy Rodella says his wife needs the money in their joint bank account so she can run her bail bond business.
Rodella was convicted in September of brandishing a firearm and depriving a motorist of his rights during a March traffic stop.
Prosecutors have been trying to collect court fines totaling more than $200,000 from Rodella, with a balance of $147,000 remaining.
His appeal is set to appear before a federal court in Denver on Sept. 29.
San Francisco attorney John Cline is representing Rodella and says his client wasn't given a fair trial.
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