Mathew Martoma Sentenced To 9 Years For Insider Trading

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A former portfolio manager convicted of helping his firm earn more than a quarter-billion dollars illegally through insider trading has been sentenced in New York to nine years in prison.

Boca Raton, Florida, resident Mathew Martoma was sentenced Monday. Prosecutors say Martoma and Stamford, Connecticut-based SAC Capital Advisors dumped millions of shares of two pharmaceutical companies after he learned in 2008 about the secret results of an Alzheimer's drug trial.

The government says Martoma corrupted a University of Michigan professor in charge of the safety committee for what was hoped to be a breakthrough drug to control the incurable memory-destroying disease.

Listen to Mathew Martoma Sentenced To 9 Years For Insider Trading

Martoma's attorney insists he made a sensible decision to sell the bloated stocks of the pharmaceutical companies that sponsored the drug trial.

As WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported, prosecutors had asked for a sentence of up to 20 years, arguing a tougher penalty could deter others from participating in insider trading.

The defense asked Judge Paul Gardephe to grant Martoma a lenient sentence because he has three young children. While acknowledging that the kids will inevitably be devastated by their father's imprisonment, Gardephe said he could not ignore the massive ill-gotten gains that Martoma brought into SAC Capital -- $275 million.

Martoma must also forfeit the $9 million bonus he received and his family's home in Florida.

Martoma's billionaire boss, Steven A. Cohen, has disputed the allegations involving his company.

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