Disgraced former Republican Assemblyman and "tough on crime" New York Parole Commissioner George "Chris" Ortloff received his sentence in Albany today for attempting to arrange the rape of two preteen girls at a Colonie motel through their "mother", an undercover State police investigator.
His sentencing, postponed five times while negotiations took place, has been followed intently by lawmakers and inmates alike, concerned that he may receive too lenient a judgement. Their concerns were justified, as despite describing Ortloff's actions as amongst the most heinous and disturbing crimes possible, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas J. McAvoy sentenced him to 12 years and six months in prison, far less than the sentence of between 15 years and eight months and 19 years and seven months recommended by Federal prosecutors.
Ortloff, once one of the most powerful Republican lawmakers in the North Country, was also fined $50,000 – which McAvoy said he had the resources to pay – and was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors, to participate in a sex offender program, and to register as a sex offender.
He will have to be supervised for the rest of his life upon his release.
In a twenty minute prepared statement, Ortloff claimed to be completely cured of his addiction to child pornography and his desire to have sex with very young girls. Assistant U.S. District Attorney Thomas Spina, who prosecuted the case, stated unequivocally that Ortloff does pose a danger to the community.
Ortloff will receive a taxpayers-funded $53,136.00 yearly pension for the rest of his life, even while in prison, guaranteed under the state Constitution.
Effectively, his $50,000 fine is being funded by New York taxpayers.
See also:
Many say Ortloff got off too easily (Adirondack Daily Enterprise, August 11 2010)
Former Plattsburgh Assemblyman Chris Ortloff receives 12 year sentence after child sex plea (North Country Public Radio News audio file, August 11 2010)
12 years for act without defense (Albany Times Union, August 10 2010)
Ortloff sentenced to 12.5 years in prison (Press Republican, August 10 2010)
Ortloff gets 12-1/2 years in prison (Adirondack Daily Enterprise, August 10 2010)
Community reacts to Ortloff sentencing (Press Republican, August 10 2010)
Ex-NY lawmaker gets 12 1/2 years in sex case (Associated Press, August 10 2010)
Some thoughts on the sentencing of former Plattsburgh Assemblyman Chris Ortloff (North Country Public Radio blog, August 10 2010)
