Ellef, Tomasso get a slap on the wrist

Only 2/12 years?

A contractor and a former top state official, whose cozy relationship of limousine trips and lavish dinners helped take down former Gov. John G. Rowland, were both sentenced Tuesday to 2 1/2 years in prison.

Peter Ellef, Rowland's former co-chief of staff, and contractor William Tomasso also received three years of probation and were each fined $15,000.

[...]

Tomasso's company, Tunxis Management, was fined $102,000 and placed on five years of probation for tax fraud. The company had admitted hiding corrupt payments to Ellef as legitimate business expenses.

Last week, federal prosecutors said Tomasso plied Ellef and other officials with nearly $200,0000 in cash, vacations meals and other gifts. They had asked for a sentence of closer to 3 1/2 years.

U.S. District Judge Peter Dorsey said Ellef had undermined the public's trust.

"I must impose a sentence that makes absolutely clear that people in power to act for the community must do so with total honesty," Dorsey said.

Rowland lies and disgrace the state and he only gets one year, these goons get 2 1/2 years, and the people of Connecticut lose again as we're stuck with the bill.

Ugh!