Cricket mogul Stanford sues for USD 7.2 bn

Washington, Feb 18 (AFP) Financier and cricket mogulAllen Stanford, accused in a 7-billion-dollar fraud scheme,has launched a countersuit against federal agents allegingviolations of his civil rights and illegal prosecution.

Stanford in his lawsuit filed in Houston, Texas, seeksUSD 7.2 billion dollars from a group of agents of the FBI,Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission.

The complaint says the agents "undertook illegal tactics"including a civil prosecution by the SEC "which was calculatedto seize all his corporate and personal records, conduct acriminal investigation... and at the same time, seize and takeall of Mr. Stanford''s personal assets" to impair his defense.

The flamboyant Texan was declared incompetent to standtrial last month after government psychiatrists and Stanford''steam testified that he was suffering from bouts of deliriumlinked to his dependency on powerful anti-anxiety medication.

They found the 60-year-old was also depressed due to abrain injury he sustained during a 2009 jailhouse brawl, andrecommended he be weaned off the drug.

US District Judge David Hittner denied Stanford''s requestto be released and treated at a private medical facility.

Stanford has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of fraud,money laundering and obstruction. He faces up to 375 years injail if convicted.

A self-described "maverick," Stanford hit internationalsports headlines by creating the eponymous Stanford SuperSeries Twenty20 cricket competition. (AFP) SNK