CEO Gets 8 Year Prison Term

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Richard I. Berger, former chief executive of a defunct Cerritos electronics manufacturer, was re-sentenced Monday to 97 months in federal prison for financial fraud.

Berger, who also served as chairman of Craig Consumer Electronics, was previously sentenced in 2004 to six months in prison. He appealed his conviction to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which sent his case back to the trial court. He was re-sentenced to the lengthier prison term due to changes in federal sentencing laws.

U.S. District Court Judge Robert M. Takasugi found Monday that Berger caused $3.1 million in losses to Craig’s lenders and $2.1 million to investors. In 2004, Berger was found guilty of loan fraud, falsifying corporate books and records, and making false statements to accountants and in SEC filings.

The company filed for bankruptcy in August 1997. Prior to the filing, Craig posted sales of $80 million in 1996 and $88 million in 1995. The company manufactured small electronics, such as car stereos, which were sold at major retail outlets such as Best Buy and Circuit City.

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