The right decision (5/2/05)

Judges are used to getting second-guessed.

It goes with the job.

And we’ve done our share of second-guessing in this space over the years, usually in connection with sentences meted out in high-profile betrayals of the public trust.

But this time, the sentence was sound.

Jay Superior Court Judge Joel Roberts handled multi-count theft trial of former stockbroker Greg Reinhold both fairly and firmly.

Reinhold, whose stint dealing investments locally was marked by controversy, had been convicted of 13 counts of diverting investors’ money for his own gain.

For his profession, he was an embarrassment. For his former employer, he was a nightmare.

But because his was a white collar crime, there was a chance Reinhold might get off easy. It’s happened before.

This time, however, Judge Roberts weighed the loss to investors, heard testimony about other eyebrow-raising financial dealings, and said that enough was enough.

Not satisfied with fines and restitution totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, the judge ordered three years of jail time.

It’s a far cry from a slap on the wrist, and it’s a sentence most would agree is absolutely appropriate. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]