Former magistrate Albert Baldeo was yesterday sentenced in a New York court to 18 months in prison for obstruction of justice, after weeks of delays during which the prosecution said he was faking illness to avoid jail.
Judge Paul A Crotty sentenced Baldeo for three counts of obstructing the course of justice related to a probe into campaign fraud during his unsuccessful bid to join the City Council.
While he was convicted on seven counts of obstructing the course of justice, court records indicate that four of those convictions were dismissed by the judge.
Baldeo may still count himself lucky as he had faced a maximum of 20 years on each of the charges. His sentences are to run concurrently, which will see him serving 18 months in prison, according to court records.
Baldeo was also fined US$15,000.
He has until March 23 to report to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence. He is to be on supervised release after serving his time.
Baldeo was expected to be sentenced last month but on the first sentencing date his lawyer reported that he was ill and on the second sentencing date he was hospitalised with chest pain. However, he later moved from the hospital by air ambulance and was admitted to the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, where, according to the prosecution, he had attempted to have the record of his admission hidden.
He was finally released from that hospital hours before yesterday’s sentencing, after the hospital
officials determined that he was in essence faking his illness. A letter filed by prosecutors before the sentencing said Baldeo objected to his discharge, while admitting that he would be sentenced if he was to be released.
Yesterday Judge Crotty recommended to the Bureau of Prisons that Baldeo be designated to a medical facility that can treat his physical and mental conditions. Following his sentence, Baldeo would have to comply with the conditions of home confinement for three months, which may include electronic monitoring or voice identification. During this time he will remain at his place of residence except for employment or any other activities approved by the probation officer.
Baldeo will also be expected to maintain a telephone at his place of residence without call forwarding, a modern caller ID, call waiting, or portable cordless telephone during that period. He also has to pay the cost of home confinement on a self-payment or co-payment basis directed by the probation officer. He also has to serve 300 hours community service and provide the probation officer with access to any requested financial information. Other requirements include him reporting to the nearest probation office within 72 hours of his release. He also has to immediately pay US$700 as a lump sum payment as a special assessment fee.
Baldeo, a former Queens, New York district leader, was found guilty in federal court of tampering with witnesses during the investigation of his alleged campaign fraud by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
