It’s bad when the judge calls crimes “almost unforgivable” when sending away a politically-connected defendant to more than four years.

Writes the Post-Tribune’s Andy Grimm:

Gary attorney Willie Harris received a prison sentence of more than four years, nearly the maximum under federal guidelines, for his role in a scheme to defraud two not-for-profit groups in a 2001 land deal.

During a sentencing hearing Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Philip Simon called Harris’ conduct in a series of deals “almost unforgivable,” noting that to complete a series of fraudulent land sales, Harris bilked a charitable group founded by his aunt and forged the signature of a woman who considered him a brother.

“This is a case where the evidence is that Mr. Harris and the other defendants, but especially (Harris), is essentially preying on an old woman,” Simon said. “And an old woman who was a relative … and a client.

“What I have here is a profound abdication (of his duty) as a family member, as a taxpayer and as an attorney.”

Technorati Tags: GUEA, Willie Harris

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