Federal appeals court in NYC upholds Rigas’ sentencing

Appeals court in NYC upholds Rigas’ sentencing

NEW YORK — A federal appeals judge in New York has upheld prison sentences given to a father and son who built Adelphia Communications into a cable television powerhouse.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan on Monday agreed that prison terms given to 84-year-old Adelphia founder John Rigas and his son Timothy were appropriate. Defense lawyers had argued that the father’s 12-year sentence and the son’s 17-year prison term were more years in prison than some terrorists serve.

A prosecutor had told the court that the sentences were long but not uncommon for white-collar cases. He also noted that the father and son had shown no remorse.