Opinion ID: 567009
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: 4 Sometime in late 1988, a federal grand jury began investigating appellant Gregory S. Bodell and a network of other attorneys who allegedly had defrauded insurance companies by manipulating civil litigation. In March, 1990, Bodell brought this action against his legal malpractice insurers, seeking a declaration that they were obligated to defend him in any criminal proceedings arising out of his legal practice. On April 20, 1990, Bodell moved for summary judgment against his insurers. Four days later, a federal grand jury indicted Bodell for mail fraud and RICO violations stemming from his alleged manipulation of law suits. On May 15, 1990, Bodell pled guilty to one count of mail fraud and the other charges against him were dismissed. On May 21, 1991, appellee malpractice insurers counterclaimed against Bodell and several newly-joined counterdefendants, seeking rescission of the insurance contracts. On June 5, 1990, the district court denied Bodell's motion for summary judgment and sua sponte granted summary judgment for the insurers on the issues raised by Bodell in his original complaint. 2 On June 25, 1990, Bodell filed the present appeal.