A Long Island, N.Y. man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his operation of two firms, Atomic Vending and Energy Vend, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard in Miami to 28 months in prison, a $7,500 fine, at least $15,000 in restitution and three years supervised release after being charged that he served as an owner and salesman for Atomic Vending and Energy Vend from March 2008 to March 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. For the full story, click here.
Editor’s Insight: What’s discouraging about this case is the crook is a repeat offender; the government in 2008 ordered him not to engage in business opportunity activities, which he promptly ignored. Because of this, the court extended his sentence to 28 months, plus a $7,500 fine, at least $15,000 in restitution and three years supervised release.
The “extended” sentence seems soft in light of the previous court order. He should have been sentenced to serve time under the first conviction. The vending industry needs to suggest stiffer sentences for these blue sky business opportunity operators who have long besmirched the industry’s reputation. 11-09-11
