WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A treasure hunter accused of cheating investors out of their share of his historic underwater find of gold is remaining behind bars.
Tommy Thompson appeared before a judge in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday. But because he has not formally hired an attorney licensed to defend him in federal court, a hearing to confirm his identity and seek his extradition to Ohio was again put off.
As in his court appearance last week, 62-year-old Thompson told U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Lee Brannon that a variety of health problems have put him "in a very fragile situation." Brannon said Thompson's "health issues can't stand in the way of a case proceeding."
Separately, Thompson's longtime companion, Alison Antekeier, was denied bond and ordered held awaiting a decision on her own extradition.
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