OCR Text |
Show Another con artist caught? EPHRAIM Dennis Schuffler, an Ephraim man who pleaded guilty to six counts of unlawful dealing with property by a fiduciary, and three counts of diversion or appropriation of insurance funds, was sentenced to the full extent of the law, and given nine consecutive con-secutive counts of one to 15 years in prison, and was fined $10,000 for each count, plus restitution in the 6th District Court by Judge David L. Mower. Judge Mower commented on the seriousness of the crimes. He told Shuffler, "You are not a trustworthy person, and you violated that trust with your victims." Some nine victims attended the proceedings, and were permitted to express their feelings freely before the sentencing. They expressed feelings of pain and loss not only for their money, but for the hardships hard-ships many had and would continue to suffer as a result of the crimes. Defense attorney Paul FrischJcnecht noted that he felt Shuffler started the business honestly enough, but let it get out of hand, so that it eventually was impossible for Shuffler to make up the losses to clients. Shuffler was permitted to address the court before sentencing. He said, "I do not ask for any leniency, and make no excuses. I made bad decisions, and will have to pay for it now." He denied that he had run a "con game and also denied that he had funds hidden away. "The funds are gone," he said, "and I sincerely hope that what will be decided by the court will benefit the victims." He also denied that he had forged names to get money from insurance companies. He said he would try to pay back every one of his victims, and he believed he could do so. |