In a strong rebuke calling for "just punishment," a federal judge has rejected the plea agreement made by Fred Rosetti, Ed.D., former executive director of the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit.
Read the judges' decision HERE
In October, Dr. Rosetti pleaded guilty to theft and mail fraud charges in a plea deal that called for 12 to 18 months of imprisonment and restitution of $120,000. U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani had postponed ruling on the plea.
During his plea hearing, Dr. Rosetti admitted to intentionally failing to record vacation days, creating false travel vouchers and ordering employees to do personal tasks for him.
"The sentence proposed by the plea agreement, as well as the agreement's other terms, do not reflect the seriousness of the offense, do not promote respect for the law and do not provide just punishment for the offense," Judge Mariani's order states.
A hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 21. At that time, Dr. Rosetti will be given the opportunity to withdraw his plea. If the plea is withdrawn, the case will be scheduled for trial. If the plea is not withdrawn, a sentencing hearing will be scheduled for March, and the judge will determine the sentence.
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Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter