Man guilty in $18M Ponzi scheme asks for more time before reporting to prison

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Two men who admitted to stealing $18 million from nearly 200 elderly Brevard County residents were given a break during sentencing, but now one of them is asking for another favor before reporting to prison.

Channel 9's Kenneth Craig was there in January when Donald Babb and Ralph Ruth were sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting to the crimes. But a judge said they didn’t have to report to prison until months after their sentencing.

At the time, it was yet another blow to the dozens of victims who were wiped of their life's savings.

Flashback: Suspects dodge WFTV cameras after court

"They're scum. They're scum of the Earth. They're horrible. They're evil," said victim Mary Matkin.

Court records now show Babb is asking a judge to delay his report date by more than two weeks. He said he wants to spend time with his family, including a grandchild on the way, and his father who is in hospice care.

"As a victim, it seems like this is just not fair," said WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer.

But Sheaffer said because of those medical reasons, the delay might be granted.

"Ultimately, this defendant is going to prison and going to serve for this 10 years," he said.

Babb's attorney, Greg Eisenmenger, told Channel 9, "As the motion states we are requesting an extension based on the family matters detailed in the motion. We understand the concerns that led to the assistant U.S. attorney's objection and we are leaving this to the sound discretion of the Court."

WFTV