July 23, 2004

Contact:

Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025

HOOVER SENTENCED  TO PRISON 

The worst white-collar criminal in Denver’s history was sentenced late this evening to 100 years in prison.

Will Hoover (DOB: 10-02-51) was led away in hand-cuffs following a sentencing hearing that lasted nearly 6 hours.  Hoover was convicted last month of 44 felony counts including racketeering, securities fraud and theft.  He could have faced more than 500 years in prison. 

Chief Deputy District Attorney Joe Morales urged a harsh sentence for Hoover, saying he caused losses to the victims that could never be repaid.  He told the judge, “Justice will not be served if he is free.  He has created too much misery.”

Denver District Judge Sheila Rappaport told the overflow crowd in the courtroom that she found three compelling considerations in sentencing Hoover to 100 years in prison.  One was the sheer number of victims (25), another was the duration and extent of Hoover’s schemes that spanned years, and finally the depth of his deception.

Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, Jr. was satisfied by the judge’s tough sentence saying, “It is appropriate not only because there were so many victims but because of the magnitude of destruction he wreaked in their lives.”  But he noted, “Even the harshest prison sentence doesn’t repair the deep harm he has caused so many people.”