Byline: Lisa Redmond
Oct. 9--BOSTON -- A Massachusetts man, who claims he is part of a Gypsy culture, will spend more than five years in federal prison for his role in a scheme in which he and his wife defrauded insurance companies, restaurants and hospitals -- including a Burlington restaurant and a Lowell hospital -- by swallowing glass and claiming it had been in the food, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
At his sentencing hearing, Ronald Evano, 49, who has a lengthy criminal history for theft, shoplifting and construction fraud, asked the judge for mercy, saying he was from the Roma or Gypsy culture.
He claimed the money he swindled was needed ...