(Photo courtesy: The Villager)50 years in federal prison and $1.85 million in fines could be the max for former CIETC CEO Ramona Cunningham. Of course, there's no way she will serve the maximum. U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker figured she would get between 7 and 10 years since she avoided trial and admitted guilt. But, of course, it is all up to one man, U.S. District Judge Robert Pratt. He gets to decide the sentence. He doesn't have to send her to prison at all.
What is "fair?" Prosecutors say Cunningham was likely the mastermind that hosed taxpayers out of about $1.5 million or so. BTW, Whitaker said he won't use Cunningham to try to nail anyone else in this case. It's over, he says. Over, except for the sentencing.
Seven to 10 years...is that enough for what Cunningham did? Should she have to pay fines, too? Should she have to pay back taxpayers for the money that should have helped Iowans find jobs? What about restitution and fines? What is fair?
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This is one of those stories where the public (most especially those who are seeking help to better their lives) are abused and taken advantage of. It is the kind of story which makes me wish for the days of investigative journalism. The days where a reporter or two would spend a couple of weeks digging and interviewing to trace just how deep and how interconnected this public deception goes.
I think it might take some sort of expose' like that to REALLY convey this story and all its intricacies.
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