Scam artist gets prison time

A Kauai man who stole more than $1.5 million from "investors" in a Ponzi scheme, then fled to Indonesia, was sentenced in federal court Thursday morning to 44 months in prison for fraud.

Peter Heckmann must also pay back $1,626,180 to seven victims. In addition, he faces extradition to his native Germany after he completes his prison term.

Heckmann, 63, promised his victims quick returns of 10 percent to 15 percent for investing in his recording studio in Kapaa. He fled to Bali in 2007 just before he was indicted. Indonesia has no extradition treaty with the United States, but Heckmann returned to Hawaii in March, telling the FBI he was tired of being a fugitive.