Representative Vince Lofink On His Son’s Guilty Plea
February 5th, 2008 by Maria EvansAnthony Lofink, the son of State Representative Vince Lofink (R-Caravel Farms), may be going to the can for his part in the theft of $1 million from the State Department of Finance:Â Â Â
        Â
Anthony J. Lofink, 29, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering in the scheme, which prosecutors said involved conspiring with four other people to submit false claims for the return of abandoned property seized by the state.
U.S. Attorney Colm Connolly said Lofink, son of state Rep. Vincent Lofink, used some of the money to buy luxury cars, clothing, jewelry and cosmetic surgery.
‘What motivated Mr. Lofink was greed,’ Connolly said.
Lofink, who worked in a Division of Revenue unit that processes claims for abandoned property, also known as escheat, is scheduled to be sentenced May 8. He faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison and a fine of $2.4 million — double the amount that was stolen.
Ouch, that hurts. This came in today from Joe Fulgham at Legislative Hall:
The following statement is from State Rep. Vince Lofink regarding the guilty pleas entered by his son, Anthony J. Lofink, in U.S. District Court today on three felony charges. This is the only comment Rep. Lofink will make on this subject:
“Even when your children are fully grown and responsible for their own actions, you never stop being a parent. As Tony’s father, I’m saddened and disappointed that he has committed crimes against the residents of this state and betrayed the trust that so many people placed in him. Tony needs to pay for the shameful things he’s done. I hope he uses his time in prison to reflect on his transgressions and that he’ll emerge as someone who wants to become a productive, law-abiding citizen.â€Â
We’ll keep you up to date as this story unfolds….
February 7th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
What would ever make this son of a Republican politician think that he could get away with such a crime? Moreover, what kind of a person would even consider to do such a thing? This is a sad day for the Lofink family — my heart goes out to them, together with their wish that their son has learned his lesson and will emerge a better person.
February 7th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I too feel sorry for the family of that”Republican politician”. Wondering what the need for empahzising the party affiliation? My question(curious as usual) is why Dad didn’t question his son on his ability to purchase jewelry,get plastic surgery and drive an expensive car on his meager state salary. I believe it was less than 30,000.00 a year. No red flags went up?But hey….that’s just me.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Good question, Weekend…too busy or just relieved it wasn’t coming out of the family pocket? Probably just oblivous as so many are these days. But ‘Dad’ is right…regardless of what a child…adult or otherwise…you never stop being a parent and, for the most part, regardless of age or status, continue to be the parent of the little kid, not the adult. He at least doesn’t appear to be making excuses or using whatever clout he may have to grease wheels. I do feel for the rest of the family…much as I feel for those families whose children face exection. They suffer the ’sins’ every bit as much and yet still hurt for their child.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Right you are Nancy. I have three children,the youngest being 32 years. They never stop being your “Kids”.