Infamous counterfeiter sentenced to federal prison

Federal court in Providence. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – A Rhode Island man who proclaims himself the “world’s greatest counterfeiter” is heading to federal prison.

The Providence Journal reports 77-year-old Pawtucket resident Louis Colavecchio was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison on Wednesday for producing counterfeit $100 bills.

U.S. Secret Service agents raided Colavecchio’s home in December and seized money presses and about 2,400 in fake bills. Colavecchio pleaded guilty in March to manufacturing and possessing counterfeit currency.

Colavecchio for years frustrated casinos with counterfeit slot machine tokens. He was arrested at Caesars Atlantic City in 1996 with 800 pounds of the fake tokens. His 2015 autobiography, “You Thought it was More, Adventures of the World’s Greatest Counterfeiter,” details his exploits.

In court, Colavecchio said he’s attending community college and still believes he can “do some good.”

 

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