Man sentenced to 40 years in Kentucky oil wells scam
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey says a man who defrauded more than 240 investors out of more than $3 million through a scam involving oil wells in Kentucky has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Harvey said in a statement that U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove handed down the sentence on Wednesday for 69-year-old John G. Westine Jr. on charges of mail fraud, conspiracy to launder funds, and securities fraud. Westine also was ordered to pay $3 million in restitution. His sentence was enhanced due to a 1992 conviction on similar charges.
A co-defendant, 56-year-old Mark Cornell, was sentenced to nine years and six months on a charge of deception in the purchase and sale of a security.
Two other co-defendants were previously convicted and sentenced.
