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Pocono News Section
Boriosi Sentenced for Tax Evasion Scheme
Boriosi Sentenced for Tax Evasion Scheme - Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 5:20PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 @ 05:20pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - A Lackawanna County man, who admitted his part in a tax evasion scheme, is going to prison. Marc Boriosi was sentenced to ten months in federal prison Thursday morning.
Boriosi was the key witness in the government's case against Charles Costanzo. Costanzo was convicted of stealing $650,000 in taxpayer money. The two men were former partners and they set up a company to use taxpayer money as they wanted.
In court, Boriosi's lawyer said the scheme cost his client his home and his marriage. After Boriosi apologized, he learned it will also cost him his freedom.
"The judge could have given probation, but on the other hand, this was a rip-off scheme," defense attorney Ernie Preate said.
Both sides say Boriosi's cooperation in the Costanzo investigation helped him to avoid more time in jail.
"The fact that the head of the FBI office here (Scranton) spoke on his behalf shows how important his testimony was," Preate said.
In court Thursday, Boriosi said he couldn't get out of the scheme. He didn't know where to turn.
"Sometimes you get entrapped in situations. Its almost hard to get out of," Preate said.
This may not be the last time we hear Boriosi's name. During the Costanzo trial, he said Costanzo got his job because of his relationship with former Lackawanna County commissioner Robert Cordaro. In court Thursday, Boroisi's lawyer admitted the scheme reached the highest levels of county government.
"The scheme reached the highest levels of the county administration. There's an ongoing investigation. The FBI and U. S. Attorney are conducting an investigation right now and I don't want to comment any further," Preate said.
When asked specifically if his client had offered testimony to federal officials, Preate would not answer.
So far, federal officials have not charged anyone else with wrongdoing.
Besides prison time, Boriosi was also ordered to pay more than $500,000 restitution. He will begin serving his sentence in late September. | | |
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