Defense lawyer Flora Edwards has pinned Follieri's troubles on his acquaintances with movie stars and celebrities, saying in court papers that he "became intoxicated with it all."

"Unfortunately, he lacked the resources to maintain the opulent lifestyle of his new friends," she wrote.

Edwards asked that Follieri be sentenced to three years in prison, even though he had agreed to serve at least four years and three months when he entered his guilty plea.

She noted that more than 100 letters had been written on his behalf, and she said his charitable acts and a gravely ill mother were reasons to lighten his sentence.

But Brodsky argued that Follieri made his charitable contributions with money he had stolen from investors and lied about his intentions almost from the moment he arrived in the United States six years ago.