PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Cranston estate planner and philanthropist Joseph Caramadre said Monday he pleaded guilty to charges he defrauded terminally-ill people under pressure from years of being pursued in the criminal case and now wishes to defend himself.
"When I pled guilty in November, I did so relying on the advice of my lawyers, and because as a husband and a father I hoped the immediate end of the trial would alleviate the serious health issues that several members of my family were experiencing as a result of the trial," Caramadre said in a statement.
"However, to enter a guilty plea to something that I did not do ... was wrong. I am innocent of the allegations leveled by the federal government against me."
Related: Cranston estate planner Caramadre intends to withdraw guilty plea in fraud case