20-Year Sentence
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One must applaud judicial decisions such as Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr.’s recent sentencing of George Scordel to 20 years in prison for swindling money from investors (Part I, May 3). When Scordel told his son that if they were caught they would only receive a sentence of one year, he did not foresee encountering Judge Hatter.
White-collar crime may not be as morally reprehensible as murder or rape, but it certainly doesn’t deserve to be treated with a slap on the wrist, a fine, or probation. Judge Hatter has set an example that should be followed by all of his colleagues in sentencing white-collar criminals. Our society has been lenient through most of its history in dealing with white-collar crime. Perhaps now that sentences of considerable length are being imposed upon white-collar criminals, they can serve as a deterrent to the would-be criminals.
The time has come to end empty rhetoric in condemning white-collar criminals. The need for legislative backing of tougher penalties for white-collar crime is evident.
RANDY S. GIBBON
Huntington Beach
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