PITTSBURGH – A judge has sentenced a Pittsburgh man to 7½ years in federal prison for his role in a counterfeit money scheme based in Uganda and several other scams.
Authorities say 29-year-old Joseph Graziano Jr. was free on bond when he got caught passing a bogus $100 bill at a coffee shop.
A federal judge indicated in court filings that Graziano Jr. likely faced at least 11 years in prison but sentenced him Thursday to the lesser sentence.
Just before sentencing, the judge granted an unspecified government request. Prosecutors aren't commenting on the request.
Graziano's sentence also includes time for stealing $2.44 million while working for Bank of New York Mellon in Pittsburgh and ripping off people who bought computers from him on eBay but received empty boxes.
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