Dawn Bennett, the former advisor who was sentenced on July 31 to 20 years in prison for defrauding retirees out of $20 million, is appealing her conviction.
Notice was given to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Aug. 16 that Bennett would appeal the decision by District Judge Paula Xinis to sentence her to prison and pay restitution of $14.5 million and forfeiture of $14.3 million.
On Aug. 20, Bennett's former attorneys Jonathan Jeffress and William Zapf issued a petition to the court withdrawing themselves from representing her.
The 4th Circuit advised Bennett Thursday to retain counsel for her appeal.
Bennett, 56, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, faced 17 federal charges including conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud and making false statements on a loan application.
