Pennsylvania man faces sentencing in Uganda-based counterfeiting scheme, other scams
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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.
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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.