Long Prison Sentence For Man Who Financially Preyed On The Elderly
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) - A Wheat Ridge man who stole millions of dollars from investors was sentenced to 28 years in prison on Monday.
Investigators say Perry Sawano, 51, operated a Ponzi scheme where he particularly preyed on the elderly. He would take their money and invest it in fake companies under his name without their knowledge.
In one case Sawano stole more than $800,000 from an 85-year-old woman.
"At the sentencing hearing, the courtroom was filled to overflowing with victims and others affected by Perry Sawano's criminal conduct. An emotional 85-year-old woman, who lives in a retirement facility in Chicago, told District Judge Christopher Zenisek that Perry Sawano stole over $800,000 from her, money that was to provide for her in her retirement. She said that she now questions her own decisions on everything, because she had trusted and believed in him," Pam Russell the district attorney's office said in a statement.
Sawano pleaded guilty in May.