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SALT LAKE CITY — A St. George multimillionaire and philanthropist accused of Internet marketing fraud might be released from jail next week.
Jeremy Johnson's attorney Nathan Crane told a U.S. District judge Friday that he and federal prosecutors are discussing a property bond that would be agreeable to both sides. Prosecutor Brent Ward told Judge David Nuffer that there's a "distinct possibility" an agreement could be reached over the weekend.
Nuffer set a hearing for next Wednesday.
Johnson, 35, faces one count of mail fraud in connection with an alleged online marketing scheme involving his company iWorks. He has been in jail since his arrest June 11.
The Federal Trade Commission also has a civil case pending against Johnson, alleging his companies bilked at least $275 million from Internet customers by billing them for products and services they didn't order.
The Federal Trade Commission also has a civil case pending against Johnson, alleging his companies bilked at least $275 million from Internet customers by billing them for products and services they didn't order.
In Friday's hearing, Crane complained to the judge that the lead attorney for the FTC called Johnson at the Davis County Jail on Thursday night. Johnson declined to accept the call as is his right, but jailers threatened to place him in lockdown if he didn't take it, Crane said.
"You can imagine I'm not very happy about this at all," he said. "I can't even get a hold of my client by phone in the jail."
Attorneys typically must meet with their jailed clients in person. Crane wanted to know why the government received special treatment and said he's contemplating filing a contempt of court motion.
Nuffer directed the U.S. Marshals Service, which oversee federal prisoners, to look into the incident.
"It's not just irresponsible. It's wrong," the judge said.
Ward agreed it was improper and said he would see that it doesn't happen again.
A trial date for Johnson has not been set. Lawyers continue to wrangle over the sharing of massive amounts of evidence in the case, which so far includes about 8 million pages of documents and 33,000 emails.
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