November 23, 2010

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    

              District Attorney Gwen Wilkinson announced today that a husband and wife were sentenced related to possession and sale of industrial parts stolen from a local business.

              Michael Ruffino, 50, whose last known address is 127 Jersey Hill Road, Ithaca, New York, was sentenced related to his guilty pleas to one count each of criminal possession of stolen property in the second degree and conspiracy in the fourth degree related to the 2007 possession and sale of more than $50,000 worth milling inserts stolen from the Stork H & E Turboblading plant in Danby, NY.  Mr. Ruffino was a former employee of Stork H & E Turboblading, which manufactures turbine blades.  Michael Ruffino was sentenced to 1-3 years incarceration and ordered to pay restitution to Stork H & E Turboblading.

               Renee Ruffino, Michael’s wife, entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy in the fifth degree related to her assisting of Michael Ruffino in possessing and selling the stolen milling inserts.  The couple used the internet based website EBay.com to fence the stolen milling inserts and sold over $50,000 worth of stolen inserts.  Renee Ruffino was sentenced to a conditional discharge and ordered to pay restitution to Stork H & E Turboblading

              The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew M. McElwee.  Ithaca Attorney Lance Salisbury defended Renee Ruffino and Ithaca Attorney Kelly Damm defended Michael Ruffino.  The Hon. John C. Rowley presided over the plea.