RI lawyer sentenced for fraud scandal

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP/WPRI) - A disgraced Cranston lawyer convicted of stealing millions of dollars from his clients has been sentenced.

Pasquale Scavitti will serve 3 1/2 years behind bars for swindling clients who were refinancing or buying homes. He was also sentenced to five years of probation, ordered to pay full restitution and perform 200 hours of community service

Scavitti apologized to his clients and told a judge he had "disgraced" his profession at sentencing Tuesday in U.S. District Court. Judge William E. Smith called Scavitti's actions "mind boggling" and "distressing."

Scavitti pleaded guilty back in June to wire fraud, and admitted to diverting $2.5 million between 2003 and 2008.

Authorities say Scavitti put the money to personal and office use.

As the Target 12 Investigators reported earlier this year, Scavitti was dibarred for the fraud scandal.