A man involved in a Lackawanna County corruption scheme learned his fate in federal court.
Marc Boriosi admitted helping Charles Costanzo steal thousands of dollars from the county's workers' compensation fund.
Boriosi, of Clarks Summit, was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison. He must also pay more than $500,000 in restitution to the county.
Before Boriosi was sentenced, something happened in court the federal judge said he has never seen before.
Boriosi was quiet outside the federal courthouse in Scranton but his lawyer said he thought the sentence of 10 months in federal prison was fair since Boriosi cooperated with the government by testifying against his co-conspirator, Charles Costanzo.
"He demonstrated his courage. Remember this man was threatened, his family was verbally abused. His cooperation was critical, essential," said defense attorney Ernie Preate.
Boriosi pleaded guilty to tax evasion and conspiracy to commit fraud, after the FBI started investigating Costanzo for stealing more than $600,000 from the Lackawanna County workers compensation fund.
Costanzo was convicted and is serving about five-and-a-half years in federal prison.
Boriosi's father broke down in tears before his son was sentenced, telling the judge, "I have a good son caught in a bad situation. Once he got in, he couldn't get out."
Judge Edwin Kosik appeared shocked when the senior resident FBI agent who investigated the case spoke for the defendant, saying, "I commend him for stepping up and helping us from the very beginning. Without his efforts, we may never have figured out the scheme with the county."
Boriosi's lawyer said the investigation into Lackawanna County's government continues.
"The scheme reached the highest levels of the county administration. There's an ongoing investigation. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney are conducting that investigation right now. I'm not going to comment any further," Preate added.
The government originally recommended a sentence of two years for Boriosi but again, the judge sentenced him to ten months.
Boriosi must turn himself in to begin his sentence on September 24.
Marc Boriosi admitted helping Charles Costanzo steal thousands of dollars from the county's workers' compensation fund.
Boriosi, of Clarks Summit, was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison. He must also pay more than $500,000 in restitution to the county.
Before Boriosi was sentenced, something happened in court the federal judge said he has never seen before.
Boriosi was quiet outside the federal courthouse in Scranton but his lawyer said he thought the sentence of 10 months in federal prison was fair since Boriosi cooperated with the government by testifying against his co-conspirator, Charles Costanzo.
"He demonstrated his courage. Remember this man was threatened, his family was verbally abused. His cooperation was critical, essential," said defense attorney Ernie Preate.
Boriosi pleaded guilty to tax evasion and conspiracy to commit fraud, after the FBI started investigating Costanzo for stealing more than $600,000 from the Lackawanna County workers compensation fund.
Costanzo was convicted and is serving about five-and-a-half years in federal prison.
Boriosi's father broke down in tears before his son was sentenced, telling the judge, "I have a good son caught in a bad situation. Once he got in, he couldn't get out."
Judge Edwin Kosik appeared shocked when the senior resident FBI agent who investigated the case spoke for the defendant, saying, "I commend him for stepping up and helping us from the very beginning. Without his efforts, we may never have figured out the scheme with the county."
Boriosi's lawyer said the investigation into Lackawanna County's government continues.
"The scheme reached the highest levels of the county administration. There's an ongoing investigation. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney are conducting that investigation right now. I'm not going to comment any further," Preate added.
The government originally recommended a sentence of two years for Boriosi but again, the judge sentenced him to ten months.
Boriosi must turn himself in to begin his sentence on September 24.
