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Itzhak Perlman backs Vail Valley philanthropist Vilar

NEW YORK ” Renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman has submitted a letter to the judge in the Alberto Vilar case supporting the Vail Valley philanthropist who was found guilty on fraud and conspiracy charges, according to Bloomberg.com.

Vilar, 68, faces sentencing in March. He faces up to 34 years in prison. Sullivan is considering whether Vilar should be imprisoned pending sentencing.

Federal prosecutors say Vilar might flee because he could face the rest of his life in prison. They said he can’t be trusted not to steal from friends who helped post his $10 million bail.



In a letter submitted Monday to U.S. District Judge Richard Sullivan, Perlman said Vilar is a strong backer of Perlman’s music school who has a genuine commitment to kids, Bloomberg reported.

A longtime Beaver Creek homeowner, Vilar poured $10 million into helping the Vail Valley, including the construction of the Beaver Creek arts center that bears his name and the renovation of the Ford Amphitheater.

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Vilar was convicted of defrauding clients of his Amerindo Investment Advisors of as much as $20 million

Perlman said he and his wife run a nonprofit school called the Perlman Music Program that accepts children regardless of their ability to pay, Bloomberg reported. He said he considers Vilar, whom he met eight years ago, as “a good friend,” according to the news agency.

Prosecutors said Vilar is a “pathological” liar who invented stories about fleeing Fidel Castro’s Cuba, lied about his residency to get out of jury duty and gave phony documents to U.S. agencies, Bloomberg reported.


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