You’d have to be a bit older to make this connection, but Craig Carton used to anchor on 610 WIP back in the day, I think from 1993 until 1998, or somewhere in that general time frame. He eventually made his way to WFAN in New York, where he anchored a popular morning show alongside Boomer Esiason.

Carton was sentenced to three and a half years in jail today, the result of a conviction on conspiracy, wire fraud, and securities fraud charges. The 50 year old bilked others to the tune of seven million dollars in a ticket resale scheme that he instead used to fuel a gambling addiction.

In court, the judge made a radio joke when sentencing Carton to prison.

Via the New York Post:

The 50-year-old shock jock begged for no prison in Manhattan federal court but couldn’t sway Judge Colleen McMahon.

“Colleen from New York. First time, long time,” the jurist greeted Carton.

Then she laced into him.

“Your marriage is over, your kids are terrified … reputation in tatters,” she said, as the dad of four sat expressionless. “Craig Carton, you have indeed descended into a hell of your own making.”

On top of the 42-month sentence, Carton was ordered to complete 150 hours of community service and pay $4.8 million in restitution.

Man, that’s savage.

Imagine getting that jail sentence while the judge slaps you right across the face with disrespect. The article says Carton faced  “up to 45 years but was expected to get far less under federal sentencing guidelines,” so I guess he actually got off easy.

I just just a kid back in nineties, a wee lad, so I barely remember this, but Carton was involved in a dust up with the Flyers over accusations involving Eric Lindos. I found an old article explaining what happened:

WIP Radio, which six months ago settled a lawsuit with the Philadelphia Flyers over allegations involving center Eric Lindros, Thursday reached agreement to broadcast the team’s games for five more years.

The new agreement runs through the 2002-03 season. WIP has broadcast Flyers’ games every season since 1977-78.

…

Last year, Flyers officials talked of ending the team’s relationship with WIP after talk show host Craig Carton reported Lindros sat out a February 15, 1997 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins because he was drunk or hung over.

LINDROS HAD SUFFERED a back injury two days earlier and the team filed a libel suit against station owner Infinity Broadcasting March 5, 1997, charging that Carton’s allegations were “a continuation of a pattern of reckless sensationalism.”

Last April, WIP and the Flyers reached a settlement that called for the station to issue an apology and make a contribution to the Children’s Miracle Network.

Carton no longer is employed by the station.

Remember that one?

Life comes at you fast.