A New York man who pled guilty to multiple counts of mail fraud last summer is now calling for his 25-year prison sentence to be shortened. Though the man waived his right to appeal because of a plea deal arranged with federal prosecutors, the man believes he should spend less time behind bars.
Last year, the man pled guilty to two federal charges of mail fraud. At the time of his arrest, the New York man was charged with 19 counts of mail fraud, but was able to reduce the charges by agreeing to plead guilty.
The man admitted he was guilty of operating a fraudulent investment scheme. He was paying old investors with the money received from new customers. Since he was imprisoned for this crime, he has undergone treatment for drug, alcohol and gambling addictions. In light of his crimes, he has issued an apology to his former investors, saying that he had no "intention to hurt these people."
The man was dealing with multiple addiction issues when he was convicted of a crime, some of which were reportedly long-standing problems. Addictions and other vices can lead people to do desperate and hurtful things they wouldn't normally do in order to support their habits.
A knowledgeable defense attorney serves to protect the rights of those charged with crimes. Though a person is suspected of committing a hurtful act, they still have rights in a court of law. Crimes, such as mail fraud, involve a lot of complex details, so having a knowledgeable advocate to act on your behalf is important.
Above all, a defense attorney exists to make sure those accused of crimes are treated fairly by the legal system. Effective representation can help people rebuild their lives in the most time-efficient manner possible.
Source: Long Island Business News, "Cosmo appealing 25-year Ponzi fraud sentence," David Winzelberg, Feb. 14, 2012
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