TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A judge has sentenced a financial consultant in New Jersey to eight years in prison for cheating clients of more than $500,000 and using the money, in part, to play poker.
The judge on Friday also ordered 34-year-old Evan Kochav, of Jersey City, to pay restitution to the 10 investors who thought their money was going to purchase interests in business and industry.
Prosecutors say the professional poker player instead spent a large amount of the money at casinos in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and Costa Rica, and on at least two poker websites.
Kochav also transferred money to his wife and used them to pay for shopping, dining, air travel, hotels, football tickets and other entertainment.
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