A Utahn was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his part in a major stock fraud, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Las Vegas.
Kevin E. Orton was a certified public accountant for Las Vegas companies Teletek Inc. and United Payphone Services Inc. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Philip M. Pro, Las Vegas, sentenced him to the prison term and ordered him to pay restitution.
Gregory Damm, an assistant U.S. attorney in Las Vegas, told the Deseret News that Orton is a resident of Salt Lake City.
Convicted with Orton after an eight-week jury trial in October-December, 1999, was Keith R. Shwayder, a former official of Teletek. Pro sentenced Shwayder to 87 months.
Earlier, Michael G. Swan, former CEO of Teletek and United Payphone Services, pleaded guilty to 72 counts. He was sentenced to 80 months.
Damm said the scheme bribed close to 20 stockbrokers around the country over a four-year period. At sentencing, Pro ordered Swan and Orton to pay more than $2.5 million and Shwayder to pay more than $1.5 million in restitution.
Damm said Orton must report April 18 to begin serving his sentence.