Former Western Massachusetts police chief tells reporters ‘Vote for Donald Trump,’ after being sentenced to prison
Former Lee Police Chief Joseph Buffis was sentenced Tuesday to a 27-month prison term for his 2015 conviction for extortion.
However, despite the outcome of Tuesday’s proceedings, Buffis had a bright message for reporters as he left the court house, reported MassLive.
“Have a great afternoon!” he said. “Thank you! God bless America and vote for Donald Trump!”
According to the Berkshire Eagle, he declined to comment further to media.
Buffis’s words are barely audible in a video, also captured by MassLive.
As the former police chief of the roughly 6,000-person town in Western Massachusetts, Buffis was convicted in U.S. District Court of extorting $4,000 from two Lee innkeepers who were caught up in a prostitution ring. During the same trial, he was also acquitted of 10 other charges related to allegations he stole $55,000 from a charity Christmas toy fund run by the police department.
Prior to Tuesday’s sentencing, prosecutors had asked for Buffis to receive a 33-month sentence. Following the session, Buffis’s defense lawyer, Lori H. Levinson, who had argued for a sentence of probation and community service, said they “will absolutely appeal.”
Buffis was also ordered Tuesday by a federal judge to pay back the $4,000 in extorted money, serve two years of probation, and do 200 hours of community service.
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