Two Women Face Sentencing in Conn. Pyramid Scheme

Two Connecticut women face sentencing for running a pyramid scheme that authorities say involved millions of dollars and more than 1,000 other women.

Guilford residents Donna Bello and Jill Platt are scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Hartford. A jury convicted them in February of fraud, conspiracy and tax crimes.

Prosecutors are calling for significant prison time for both women, who face 11 to 14 years behind bars under federal sentencing guidelines. Their lawyers say they should receive lenient sentences because they believed they weren't breaking the law.

Authorities say the scheme involved women joining "gifting table" clubs for $5,000, then receiving $40,000 by recruiting eight new members who paid $5,000 apiece. Authorities say victims of the scheme lost more than $2 million.

[Associated Press]