Ind. financier gets 50 years for $200m swindle

U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson said Timothy Durham had violated the trust of thousands of small investors from the American Heartland who had been careful with their money and invested it with him in hopes of traveling in their retirement, paying off their mortgages and perhaps buying a small home in Florida.

She told the court Durham had plundered their money so he could live a luxurious lifestyle.

"We drive Chevys and Buicks and Ford, not Ducatis. That's how most of us roll," Magnus-Stinson said. "When they're defrauded, it is the most serious offense because it undermines the fabric of this country."

Durham said he felt "badly" for all the families who lost their savings, but never admitted any wrongdoing.

"Of course I feel terrible they lost all their money. My family has lost all of its investments," he said. "I feel very badly for all the people, especially the people here today."

Durham, who was led into the courtroom in handcuffs and leg chains and wearing a gray-green prison jumpsuit, had no visible reaction when the judge pronounced his sentence. The 50-year-old rocked briefly in his chair afterward and fidgeted with a pen he held with his both his hands, quietly telling Magnus-Stinson "No, your honor" when she asked if he had any questions about his sentence.

But he appeared dazed as he was handcuffed and led from the room into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

John Tompkins, Durham's lawyer, did not immediately return a call for comment after the sentencing.

James Cochran, an associate of Durham, was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison, while accountant Rick Snow received a 10-year sentence. Both Durham and Cochran were taken away in handcuffs to serve their sentences, but Snow was allowed to leave with his family, pending a determination on where he will serve his sentence.

A jury in June found the three men guilty of securities fraud and conspiracy. It also convicted Durham, a major Indiana Republican Party donor who resigned his post at National Lampoon in January, of 10 counts of wire fraud, while Cochran and Snow were convicted on some of those counts.

Prosecutors have said the three stripped Akron, Ohio-based Fair Finance of its assets and used the money to buy mansions, classic cars and other luxury items and to keep another of Durham's company afloat. The men were convicted of operating an elaborate Ponzi scheme to hide the company's depleted condition from regulators and investors, many of whom were elderly.