Jeweler Sentenced for Defrauding Customers of $350K

Mark Yannone was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to 16 charges, including 14 counts pf larceny

A Pittsfield, Massachusetts, jeweler who defrauded his customers out of $350,000 to fuel his gambling and drug addictions has been sentenced to up to five years in prison.

The Berkshire Eagle reports
that Mark Yannone was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to 16 charges, including 14 counts pf larceny.

Authorities say the 32-year-old Yannone, while operating M. Joseph Jewelers, at times accepted money for purchases, only to ship customers empty boxes or nothing at all; took customers' jewelry on consignment and failed to pay them a share of any sale; and in one case sent worthless metal painted gold to a customer who had paid for $25,000 for gold bars.

Yannone apologized in court and blamed his addictions but the judge appeared skeptical.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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