By Mark Scott
New York City, NY – A federal appeals court in New York has upheld prison sentences given to the founder of Adelphia Communications and his son.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan Monday agreed that prison terms given to 84-year-old Adelphia founder John Rigas and his son Timothy were appropriate. They've been serving their sentences since August 2007.
Defense lawyers had argued that the father's 12-year sentence and the son's 17-year prison term were more years in prison than some terrorists serve. A prosecutor had told the court that the sentences were long but not uncommon for white-collar cases. He also noted that neither Rigas had shown remorse.
In a 25-page decision, the court concluded that the sentences imposed on the Rigases were "procedurally and substantively reasonable." They were convicted in 2004 in New York on bank fraud and securities fraud.
Adelphia was plunged into bankruptcy in 2002. It was once this area's main provider of cable TV services.