Shelton developer Robert Scinto was sentenced April 6 to six months in prison and fined $50,000 for lying to federal investigators who were probing his role in an alleged corruption case.
Senior U.S. District Judge Charles Haight said he wanted to send a message to developers, business leaders and public officials in the area that corruption would not be tolerated. The federal corruption probe is continuing and has reached into neighboring towns and cities.
In October, Scinto pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators regarding gifts and benefits he gave to city officials and employees, including building inspector Elliot Wilson and Mayor Mark Lauretti, who was not charged with any wrongdoing. Wilson began serving a five-month jail term April 6.
Before Haight handed down the sentence Scinto apologized and said he “let so many people down” and that his reputation has been “soiled.”
There were more than 100 Scinto supporters in the courtroom for the sentencing.
Scinto is the owner of RD Scinto Inc., which is worth $200 million and owns some 2.5 million square feet of real estate throughout Fairfield County.
In addition to jail time, Scinto was sentenced to two years of supervised release, including six months of home confinement.
