(AP) — A Kansas man who is facing up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud, securities fraud and other counts says misconduct by federal prosecutors and a racially unfair jury are reasons for a new trial.

Isreal Owen Hawkins founded Petro America, a company that claimed to have $284 billion in oil well and gold mine assets. He and four other company leaders were convicted in May in federal court in Kansas City, Mo., of defrauding investors out of $10.2 million by selling them worthless stock with promises of vast riches.

Hawkins filed a brief this week seeking a new trial. In it he compares his plight to that of early 20th century black businessman Marcus Garvey, saying both were persecuted for trying to bring economic independence to African Americans.