
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, October 14, 1993                   TAG: 9310140180
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BOSTON                                LENGTH: Short

TSONGAS FUND-RAISER GUILTY OF EMBEZZLING

Nicholas A. Rizzo Jr., chief fund-raiser for Paul Tsongas, pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges that he stole more than $1 million from his longtime friend's 1992 presidential campaign and committed what prosecutors called the biggest campaign fraud in U.S. history.

Under terms of a plea bargain, U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro sentenced Rizzo, 59, to serve 52 months in prison, pay $600,000 to the government and pay $899,000 in restitution. Both sides acknowledged, however, that Rizzo essentially has no assets.

In a brief statement before sentencing, Rizzo said he took responsibility for his acts and promised to pay his creditors. "If I ever have the ability to earn money, I will pay them back," he said.

- The Washington Post

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB