REGINA – The man convicted in one of Saskatchewan’s largest frauds has had his sentencing appeal denied. Ronald Fast, 72, was handed a seven-year prison sentence after being found guilty in a ponzi scheme.
Fast bilked more than $16-million from more than 200 investors through a company called Marathon Leasing. Some of them, primarily elderly people of the Mennonite faith, lost their life savings.
READ MORE: One of the largest sentences for fraud in Saskatchewan history
Fast was looking to have his sentence reduced due to ill health.
The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on Monday, stating the sentencing judge was aware of Fast’s ill health.
“The appellant has not shown that the sentence was excessive or demonstrably unfit; nor has he shown that the sentencing judge failed to consider his ill health,” wrote Justice Whitmore for the court.
“The sentencing judge was of the view that a penitentiary term of over two years was appropriate for a fraud of this amount.
“If (Fast’s) health is such that continued incarceration will pose an increased health risk to him, he may wish to consider applying for parole.”
Fast’s daughter, Danielle Fast-Carlson, was also found guilty for her role in the ponzi scheme and sentenced to 30 months in prison. She is appealing her conviction, saying the judge’s verdict was unreasonable and not supported by the evidence.
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