When former Buffalo Sabres owner John Rigas went to jail for fraud.

John Rigas, the former owner of the Buffalo Sabres, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in one of the largest corporate fraud cases in history. Rigas, along with his two sons and other executives at Adelphia Communications, were found guilty of stealing more than $2 billion from the cable company and its investors.

Adelphia Communications is a family-owned business that has grown from a small cable company in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, to one of the largest cable providers in the country. But behind the company's success was a web of fraudulent accounting practices and insider deals that eventually led to its downfall.

In 2002, Adelphia filed for bankruptcy amid allegations of accounting fraud. It was later revealed that Rigas and his family had been using the company as their personal piggy bank, siphoning off funds to pay for everything from personal jets to hockey teams. They have also created a web of off-balance-sheet transactions that hide billions of dollars in debt from investors and regulators.

The Rigas family was indicted on multiple counts of fraud, conspiracy and other charges related to their management of Adelphia. After a lengthy trial, John Rigas and his son Timothy were found guilty on 18 counts of conspiracy, securities fraud and bank fraud. John was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Timothy received a 20-year sentence. Another son, Michael, was acquitted on several charges but still received a 10-year sentence.

The case against the Rigas family was a landmark in the fight against corporate fraud. It exposed the dangers of lax accounting standards and the importance of holding corporate executives accountable for their actions. The scandal also had a lasting impact on the Buffalo Sabres, which Rigas purchased in 1998. The team was eventually sold to businessman Tom Golisano in 2003, ending the Rigas family's tenure as owners.

What happened to John Rigas during his time in prison

During his time in prison, John Rigas experienced a number of health issues. In addition to his bladder cancer diagnosis, he suffered from a variety of other health problems, including a heart condition and a hernia.

Despite these challenges, John Rigas remained active in prison, taking part in various educational and recreational programs, and continuing his philanthropic work through the John and Alex Rigas Family Foundation. He also maintained regular contact with his family and friends, receiving visits and letters from them throughout his incarceration.

In 2016, John Rigas was granted compassionate release due to his deteriorating health, and he returned to his home in Pennsylvania, where he received palliative care for his cancer. In the months that followed, he remained active in the community, making public appearances and continuing his philanthropic work until his passing in 2021.