Felipe Sixto, Bush Aide, Gets Thirty Months In Jail

WASHINGTON — A former Bush White House aide was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on Wednesday for stealing nearly $600,000 from a government-funded program that promotes democracy in Cuba.

Felipe Sixto apologized for stealing from the Center for a Free Cuba, telling U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton that in addition to his own greed and selfishness, he "wanted to provide a lifestyle for my family I could not afford."

That argument from Sixto did not sway Walton, who compared him to Bernie Madoff, who has pleaded guilty to ripping off thousands of investors of billions of dollars.

While the situations are different, Walton said Sixto, like Madoff, wanted a lifestyle "far above" what he deserved.

"The mentality that brings you before this court is the same," Walton said.

Walton sentenced him to 30 months in prison, three years supervised release and fined him $10,000. Sixto had asked for home confinement or probation.

Sixto pleaded guilty Dec. 19 to theft. He acknowledged overcharging the organization more than $579,000 when purchasing radios and flashlights with federal funds. His lawyer said 90 percent of the money had been paid back to the center, with some of it coming from a mortgage that Sixto's parents took out on their house.

Walton also criticized Sixto for accepting a job in the White House, knowing that he had been stealing from the center, an independent institution that receives millions of dollars in USAID funds for rent, travel and equipment such as shortwave radios and laptops.

Sixto quit his job as a special assistant to President George W. Bush for intergovernmental affairs almost a year ago after learning that the center was beginning legal action against him.

Walton said having employees like Sixto inside the White House makes people question the honesty and integrity of government officials.

Comments

[ObjectiveRealist]

What a weird thing to say about the Bush White House.
quote:
Walton said having employees like Sixto inside the White House makes people question the honesty and integrity of government officials.
/quote
Has that judge never heard of the Department of the Interior? Alberto Gonzales? Donald Rumsfeld? Paul Wolfowitz? Richard Bruce Cheney?

[Steben]

Now let us hope that they will go after the big crooks in the corrupt Bush administration and put them behind bars where they belong.

[djgonebad]

the GOP's lifestyle isn't the American dream; it's the dream of greedy self-absorbed a$$#ole$

[wiserat70]

The excuse for stealing was he wanted a better life style for his family????­??????????­? So would I and I am sure the thousands of Americans out of work, without medical insurance, living on the edge waiting for their homes to be forclosed, choosing between food and medicine.
Greed, Greed and more greed. Jail time - that goes for the thieves at AIG also.

[Harrier]

Why do get fined only $10,000 when you've stolen $600,000? That's a great deal!

[ObjectiveRealist]

Judge on the take?

[dragonlady620]

What SIxto was a relatively minor crime compared to the rest of the government officials surrounding him. Since everyone around him was stealing the public blind, it's not in the least surprising that he would think he was entitled to a piece of the pie. The American dream, Bushco. style.

[uneeda]

lets hope for many more

[2008CaliforniaFan]

And as the story said... he turned himself in, O N L Y after he knew he was going to be caught.
But felt the crime warranted probation. Like Bush.... does not live in reality.

[Daniboy]

Frank, Dodd, and Geitner cost country bilions-but us Libs got our priorities-go after this little fish-a feel good moment in this error of government blundering-a time of change and hope!

[hortonhearsawho2]

find employement , already, Levi...

[Catjya]

Gop voted in Geithner too,jerk face!!!

[littleolwinemakerme]

Whatever happened to the Bush aid that got caught ripping off Target stores for fake refunds?

[hortonhearsawho2]

for he's a jolly good fellow....

[hey0there]

next up Vivek Kundra

[indyrep]

The three ideas left to us by the NeoCons:
Greed, fear, greed

[berrycooda]

GREED.....­.INSATIABL­E NEED.....

[Agent420]

There will be more.

[chili111]

Good. He deserved jail time. Now, if we can get all of the rest of the thieves (Dodd, Frank, Geithner, Obama) some jail time, that would be even better!!!

[Articulator]

you are delusional - clinging to your denial to save your ideology.

[dragonlady620]

What about Bush, Cheney, Rove,etc.

[hortonhearsawho2]

as in u would have cell mates....whiner.

[lastmanuptonight]

Judge Walton.. I believe you miss the point.
Having Bush and Cheney in our highest government office, with their above the law approach to governance makes us question the honesty and integrity of government officials.

[hortonhearsawho2]

notice that fter eight years did ya...