Champion of the Poor Sentenced

(Cleveland, OH) David Roth, founder of Cleveland Works, an organization which helped find jobs for the poor and the newly out of prison, faced a possible 160 years in prison on charges he used and sold cocaine and heroin. Under a very attractive plea deal, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Bridget McCafferty sentenced Roth to seven years in prison for organized crime and drug convictions. The defense was upset.

"David's credible contribution that rivals Mother Theresa, the last 30 years of helping the helpless and downtrodden in the community should have been considered for more," said Defense Attorney Nicki Schwartz.

Despite any perceived good done by David Roth, he committed major crimes. Comparing him to Mother Theresa is ludicrous. It's also questionable whether Roth, an admitted lifelong drug user and dealer, was helping more than harming the newly out of prison. The last thing ex-convicts need is an environment of substance abuse and drug trafficking in which to try and rebuild their lives.