Prosecutor: 'Privileged lifestyle' caused Rutland attorney to cheat

RUTLAND — Federal prosecutors say an attorney evaded taxes to maintain a “privileged lifestyle” and should serve time behind bars to send a message that “white collar” crimes are taken seriously.

Defense attorneys say the once-prominent Rutland lawyer has already suffered. He has lost his law license and his legal practice and has endured humiliation and embarrassment after federal charges against him came to light earlier this year.

The two sides will present their arguments to Judge Christina Reiss on Sept. 29 in federal court in Burlington when John Canney III, 63, a lawyer in Rutland for more than three decades, is sentenced on federal tax fraud offense.

The prosecution and the defense have both recently submitted sentencing recommendations to the judge. The documents also provide many more details into the case against Canney, a well-known figure in the Rutland community.

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2017/09/21/prosecutor-privilged-lifestyle-caused-rutland-attorney-cheat/#.WcYVjsZrzRY