Dec. 28 (Bloomberg) -- R. Allen Stanford’s request for more time to prepare to face charges he led a $7 billion investment fraud scheme was denied by the judge who declared him mentally fit for trial. Jury selection will begin in Houston federal court on Jan. 23.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mary Romano in New York at mromano6@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mary Romano at mromano6@bloomberg.net