CLEVELAND (AP) — The son and ex-daughter-in-law of late Black golf pioneer Charlie Sifford have been sentenced to 2½ years in prison for stealing from his estate.
Golf Pioneer Charlies Sifford. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Cleveland.com (http://bit.ly/2bBwUlQ) reports a judge in Cleveland indicated Thursday that Craig Sifford and his ex-wife, Sandra, will be eligible for release sooner. The pair had pleaded guilty last month to stealing $315,000.
Their attorney had pushed for probation instead of prison time, but a judge concluded that wasn’t a viable option because of how much money was stolen.
The theft was under investigation when Charlie Sifford died in February at 92. Authorities had received a complaint saying Craig Sifford was abusing a power of attorney for his father.
Charlie Sifford became the first Black golfer to earn full-time playing privileges on the PGA Tour in 1961.
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Information from: cleveland.com, http://www.cleveland.com