An ex-official at a job training agency in Des Moines, Iowa has been sentenced prison for helping business executives take taxpayer money.

John Bargman III was the chief operating officer of the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium at the same time that several executives were accused of spending $2 million dollars of state money intended for job training on lavish bonuses and salary raises for themselves between the years of 2003 and 2006.  Five executives were convicted, with four of them sentenced to prison.

Bargman has been sentenced to 20 months in prison.  He is also ordered to pay $400,000 in restitution.  Mr. Bargman’s defense had requested probation rather than prison for the formal official, citing Bargman’s cooperation in the investigation.  He pleaded guilty of conspiracy and misuse of federal money, and agreed to testify against his co-defendents in hopes of leniency in his sentence.

“I want to say that I’m glad this ordeal is over with,” Bargman said. “I’ve taken responsibility. I accept the judge’s decision. I apologize again, and I look forward to getting my life back on track.”

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