Con artist who helped Google probe sentenced

— A career con artist who played a role in the criminal investigation that resulted in Google Inc. forfeiting $500 million in August has been sentenced to nearly six years for his role in a multimillion dollar fraud scheme.

David Whitaker was also ordered Friday in federal court in Providence to pay more than $10 million in restitution. Authorities say he bilked between $8.7 million and $22.6 million from small businesses and a credit card company during the mid-2000s. He was credited with the nearly four years he has already served.

Under terms of a plea agreement, prosecutors promised to recommend a lesser sentence in exchange for his help with the Google investigation.

Authorities say Whitaker helped expose how Google's automated ad system known as AdWords was exploited to promote illegal Canadian pharmacies to Americans.

The Associated Press


