A White-Collar Sentence of 330 Years

who would honestly be so stupid to commit these crimes if they know they are going to get caught in the long run. Be smart. Jeeze

of NE @ Jan 14, 2009 10:27:56 AM

Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish

Men like this are entrusted with the fruits of mens labor; it's a sacred trust.

When you willfully steal or destroy the savings and investments of others; the product of their lifes work, you are stealing their years.

Those who violate this trust are scum and deserve no less than a gunshot between the eyes.

Dan Tana of TN @ May 09, 2008 22:58:21 PM

330 years

I guess stealing millions of dollars is worse than taking someone's life. On the other hand, many folks wouldn't or couldn't see the differnce between the two. Bottom line, I think it is good white collar crimes are being taken more seriously. You have to figure at 72 this guy has probably been at the game for quite a while.

Johhn of IN @ May 09, 2008 13:38:44 PM

330 years

I think the judge has it right. If it was murder he was interested in, he'd have already done it. The damage he's done to others is extreme and the actions some may take because of their losses may amount to murder by this criminal. Work hard, save, then lose it all to this poor excuse for a human...

His age isn't a consideration in the sentencing; better to make sure he's punished and never has any opportunity to enjoy a retirement when he's destroyed the life's work of so many others.

Ken @ May 09, 2008 12:22:22 PM

Why not make him live side by side with the people he stole from and make him pay it back. One person at a time. Plus take everything from him but his ablility to make money. It's sad what money will do to a person!

Ann of TX @ May 09, 2008 10:11:08 AM

I've seen the damage people like Schmidt do when they are entrusted with other people's investments and end up misusing them. So far as I'm concerned, Schmidt got off lightly.

Good riddance.

detroyes of @ May 09, 2008 00:05:45 AM

Thta's totally rediculous. In Australia he would have got 5 years max, released on parole after 3.

Gordon @ May 08, 2008 22:06:22 PM

330 years

"He should have just killed a few folks instead."

Yep, next person in his shoes will see that there's essentially no incremental penalty for killing a few dozen witnesses to the fraud. It's sad that the mandatory sentencing crowd doesn't see how they're encouraging violent crime, by insisting on its parity with nonviolent.

woodrow of CO @ May 08, 2008 16:33:45 PM