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St. Paul, Minn. (AP)

Petters defense suggests 4-year sentence, not 335

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The defense for Minnesota businessman Tom Petters is calling the government's request for a 335-year sentence absurd.

Petters is due to be sentenced next Thursday on 20 counts of fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. The government contends he orchestrated a Pozni scheme that cost investors $3.65 billion.

In a court filing full of obscure literary allusions, defense attorney Paul Engh cites the 150-year sentence for disgraced New York financier Bernard Madoff for an even bigger fraud. If that case is used as a guide, Engh suggests, the math should work out to a sentence for Petters of just over four years.

In a response filed later Thursday, federal prosecutors say Petters remains unrepentant and unworthy of the court's mercy.