SC Ponzi leader sentenced to more prison time

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A former Anderson County councilman already convicted of running a Ponzi scheme has been sentenced to more time in prison.

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles said Wednesday that 67-year-old Ronnie Wilson was sentenced to six months in prison for lying to authorities.

Wilson already is serving 19 years for mail fraud. Prosecutors say he and another man promised to buy and sell silver for hundreds of customers through Atlantic Bullion & Coin but invested little of the $90 million they took in.

Authorities say Wilson told investigators he bought silver and shipped it to customers but ultimately changed receipts to keep the scheme going, losing nearly $60 million.

Wilson also told authorities he had no hidden assets, but he admitted lying after hundreds of thousands of hidden dollars were found.