United States v. Frederick W. Bauer

EASTERBROOK, Circuit Judge.

Frederick Bauer represented himself at trial — poorly. He was convicted on drug charges and sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment. He contends that appointed counsel would have been a boost; the obstacle is the court’s finding that Bauer could have afforded a lawyer.

In 1987 Bauer sent to a lender a financial statement showing about $400,000 in net assets. Late in 1988 Bauer gave the probation office in another case a financial statement showing $500,000 in net assets. Bauer concedes that both statements were correct. In this case, however, Bauer submitted an affidavit…