Former lawmaker given two years in federal prison, fined $300,000
Updated: Wed 10:11 PM, Jul 08, 2015
A former state lawmaker who scammed millions of dollars in taxpayer funds is going to federal prison.
Stephen LaRoque of Kinston walked into federal court in Greenville just before 9:00 a.m. with his team of lawyers. U.S. District Judge Malcolm Howard sentenced the former Republican lawmaker to two years in prison.
Prosecutors say he scammed over two million dollars in U.S. Department of Agriculture funds to buy a new house, new cars, ice-skating rink, and a collection of jewel-encrusted Fabergé Eggs.
The onetime Republican lawmaker was a member of former Speaker Thom Tillis' leadership team before resigning.
He faced up to ten years behind bars, plus a $250,000 fine.
After the two year active sentence, LaRoque will be on supervised release for two years, he was fined $5,000 and immediately ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution to the U.S.D.A.
LaRoque must report to prison in 30 days. He has 14 days to appeal today's sentencing.