Six months confinement, 3 years probation for embezzler

PROVIDENCE — Ronald Rathbun of Johnston, who pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement
in the theft of $153,000 in train tickets from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority, has been sentenced to six months home confinement and three years probation
by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Ernest C. Torres. Judge Torres ordered Rathbun
to make restitution of the $153,000 to Amtrak, which reimbursed the MBTA for the
tickets Rathbun stole. The announcement by U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Curran of
the August 9 sentencing said Judge Torres had reduced the severity of the sentence
from federal guidelines because of Rathbun’s medical condition, which includes
asthma and diabetes. The guidelines call for up to 18 months imprisonment.