Okun co-defendants sentenced for role in fraud case

Two codefendants of convicted swindler Edward Hugh Okun were sentenced to prison this morning under the terms of plea agreements reached with the government.

Okun, a former Miami businessman who used his Richmond-based companies in a $126 million fraud that victimized hundreds of people nationwide, was sentenced to 100 years last week.

Lara Coleman, the chief operating office of Okun’s Midlothian-based, Investment Properties of America, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by U.S. Judge Robert E. Payne.

Coleman had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and one count of making false statements.

Robert D. Field II, a certified public accountant and the chief financial officer for Okun Holdings Inc., the parent company of all Okun companies, was sentenced to five years for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering.

Richard B. Simring, a lawyer, was the chief legal officer of Okun Holdings, was also to be sentenced this morning after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering.

However, Payne said he wanted a mental health evaluation conducted of Simring, who has a history of depression and was said to have been under a great deal of family stress at the times the crimes were committed.

A new sentencing date for Simring has not yet been set. Payne said the five years called for under the plea agreement may be appropriate, but said he wanted more information about Simring’s emotional condition.

None of the three had criminal records before going to work for Okun and all expressed remorese for their involvement. Coleman and Field were allowed to remain free until Sept. 29, when they are to surrender themselves to custody. Simring remains free until his sentencing