Ex-deputy gets 26 months for perjury

Frank Schiralli's lie caused added work for authorities, a judge ruled.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A former sheriff's captain convicted of lying to a grand jury was sentenced Thursday to 26 months in prison, after a judge determined the lie made more work for federal prosecutors.
Frank Schiralli, 53, of McKees Rocks, lied when he told a grand jury he didn't keep track of which department employees bought tickets to political fundraisers that benefited his boss, Allegheny County Sheriff Pete DeFazio.
"All my life I tried to live as a good husband, a good father and a good public servant," Schiralli told U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti before he was sentenced. "I'm truly sorry."
Hands down tougher sentence
The sentence was more than Judge Flowers had originally thought was warranted. Earlier this month, she indicated sentencing guidelines called for between 15 and 21 months, but gave prosecutors time to present evidence that the lie caused more work.
Judge Flowers accepted that the lie had after an FBI agent testified he had to interview between 30 and 40 witnesses.
Schiralli did not speak with reporters after the sentencing. He was allowed to report to prison after the Bureau of Prisons notifies him where he will serve his sentence, a process that could take up to six weeks.
Schiralli's attorney, Robert Stewart, called the sentence a travesty and said he would advise Schiralli to appeal.
"I guess our streets are safe from drug dealers and murderers, and Frank Schiralli is getting 26 months," he said.
Stewart had argued for a lenient sentence, saying his client simply made a mistake.
Opposing view
But Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Stallings said Schiralli's actions were not mistakes, adding that Schiralli was given a chance to recant his grand jury testimony, but did not.
U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said she was generally pleased with the sentence, which was in the 24- to 30-month range prosecutors had requested.
"Lying by law enforcement is corrosive because it undermines the public's trust and the court's trust," Buchanan said.
Judge Flowers also ordered Schiralli to serve two years of supervised release once his prison term is completed.
DeFazio hasn't been charged in the ongoing investigation and has denied wrongdoing. Federal prosecutors contend underlings were intimidated into contributing to DeFazio's campaigns.
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