Appeal asserts Nacchio's innocence

The attorney for former Qwest chief Joe Nacchio filed a 58-page brief appealing Nacchio's conviction and prison term for insider trading. In seeking to have the conviction overturned, the brief claims Nacchio's "indictment, trial and conviction... took place in an atmosphere of pre-judgment and vitriol."

Defense attorney Maureen Mahoney also claimed that evidence presented during the trial was insufficient to prove that Nacchio knew of and used information about his company's declining performance without notifying shareholders.

Mahoney claims there was no hard evidence of wrongdoing; only the testimony of other Qwest employees. Oral arguments in the appeal are set for Dec. 18. Nacchio remains free while his case is being appealed.

For more:
- Read this story in The Denver Post

Related articles:
- The civil case against Joe Nacchio recently made news