Deaf Man Sentenced for Conning Other Deaf People

From: KSL-TV, UT - Jun 5, 2004

(Salt Lake City-AP) -- A deaf man has been sentenced to up to five years in prison for cheating other deaf people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars through an investment scam.

Third District Judge Judith Atherton sentenced 39-year-old Thuc Tri Nguyen for third-degree felony securities fraud, attempted securities fraud and an attempted pattern of unlawful conduct.

Other charges against Nguyen were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

The man had been free pending sentencing after telling the judge earlier that he would pay restitution.

He was accused of conning other deaf people out of as much as 500-thousand dollars.

Prosecutors contend that Nguyen used his disability to earn the trust of other deaf individuals.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
©KSL Television & Radio, Salt Lake City UT