RIVERSIDE – (INT) - A La Quinta man with a criminal history covering nearly five decades has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for masterminding a series of fraud schemes that cost victims nearly $2 million.

Jerome Arthur Whittington, 68, was sentenced late Monday by federal Judge Jesus G. Bernal, who said the defendant had “ruined the lives of some of the victims.”

Earlier, Whittington pleaded guilty to 33 counts of conspiracy, wire fraud and passport fraud.

Prosecutors said Whittington orchestrated a series of frauds in which he posed as various figures, including a former federal prosecutor, a successful attorney, a special agent with the FBI, and a wealthy real estate investor.

Story Date: October 19, 2018