California man behind anti-Muslim film cited poor health in bid for leniency in fraud case
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The man behind an anti-Muslim film that has sparked deadly riots in the Middle East cited poor health in a bid to get leniency in a 2010 fraud case.
A court transcript obtained Friday by The Associated Press in a bank fraud case against 55-year-old Nakoula Basseley Nakoula shows he has Hepatitis C, diabetes requiring insulin shots, and other health concerns.
His attorney argued that Nakoula was needed at home to care for his ailing father and his children and sought home detention.
Nakoula was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment for opening 600 fraudulent credit accounts, including some using the identities of his relatives.
The transcript states Nakoula began opening the accounts after losing his job in the gas station industry.
Nakoula apologized during his June 2010 hearing and served a year in prison.
