Tim LaPointe, Tom Noe s former friend and vice president of his rare-coin business, was sentenced yesterday to three years in state prison for his role in the theft of millions of dollars from the state.

I am ashamed of what I did, LaPointe said as he choked back tears before being sentenced by Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Doneghy. I want to apologize to my family and anybody I hurt.

LaPointe, the star witness for prosecutors in Noe s trial last year, pleaded guilty in November to three counts of tampering with records after he admitted that he created false coin-fund records. Jurors who found Noe guilty on 29 charges related to his theft from the state s $50 million rare-coin venture said after the trial that LaPointe s testimony was central to Noe s conviction.

Assistant Lucas County Prosecutor John Weglian yesterday asked Judge Doneghy to impose a probationary punishment, but the judge insisted on a prison sentence because of the severity of the crime and to send a message to future offenders. LaPointe was the top assistant to Noe, a GOP insider and former Toledo-area coin dealer who managed a $50 million rare-coin venture for the insurance fund of Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation.

This was a very well-organized matter, which from an accounting perspective, many things had to be done to perpetrate this fraud on the public, the taxpaying citizens of this state, Judge Doneghy said. There are many good people who do things that violate the law, but nonetheless, they are ordered to pay a penalty.

Judge Doneghy also sentenced LaPointe to pay undetermined court fees and costs, and restitution.

LaPointe, who was released after his hearing yesterday, will report for prison on Jan. 22.

Before sentencing, LaPointe s attorney, Catherine Killam, said her client took full responsibility for the crimes he committed and was remorseful that he contributed to the theft from the coin funds.

A judge has ordered Noe, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison, to pay the state $13.7 million as a result of his theft. Noe s attorneys have filed notice that they plan to appeal his conviction.

Ms. Killam told the judge that LaPointe had expressed his pure, clean, without-excuse acceptance of responsibility for his crimes. He made a mistake going along with this in the first place, and he is truly remorseful, Ms. Killam said. Outside of the courtroom, LaPointe, who was accompanied by family and his lawyer, declined comment.

After the hearing, Mr. Weglian said he had hoped for a lesser sentence but understood the judge s decision.

I don t disagree with anything that the judge said, Mr. Weglian said. As far as Mr. LaPointe is concerned, he was an extremely cooperative witness and a very helpful one. And for that, I was extremely grateful.

Prosecutors have charged 14 people in the Noe-related scandals, first uncovered by The Blade in 2005. In total, 12 have been convicted, including former Gov. Bob Taft, and his former chief-of-staff, Brian Hicks, both of whom pleaded no contest to ethics violations.

Contact Steve Eder at:seder@theblade.comor 419-724-6272.

First Published January 9, 2007, 1:02 p.m.