Conspirator in Ohio treasury scheme gets 4 years

COLUMBUS (AP) — A conspirator in a bribery scheme involving a former Ohio deputy treasurer has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Today’s sentence for attorney Mohammed Noure Alo, of Columbus, is the first in the case.

The government says defendants used the position of then-deputy treasurer Amer Ahmad to enrich themselves and their businesses by securing lucrative state business. Alo has been described as a middleman.

Ahmad is under arrest in Pakistan where authorities said he fled to avoid sentencing.

Federal Judge Michael Watson gave Alo less than the 5-year sentence sought by prosecutors, but twice the time requested by Alo’s lawyer. Alo pleaded guilty last year.

Judge Watson delayed sentencing last week to weigh new arguments over how much conspiracy-related money Alo should be held liable for.