By James McNair
Enquirer staff writer

George Fiorini, shown here in 2003, is being allowed to take a vacation before his sentencing for fraud. (Enquirer file)

With a prison cell awaiting him in the near future, convicted swindler George Fiorini will indulge in one last taste of freedom - a weeklong getaway to the coast of Maine.

Fiorini, 55, pleaded guilty Aug. 16 to fraud, income tax evasion and interstate transport of stolen money in connection with a defunct investment scheme that netted $5 million from 170 people. He faces 46 to 57 months in prison, but no sentencing date has been set.

But sometime today, Fiorini and his wife, Vicki, will join another couple, Bob and Camille Herdoiza, on a nine-day road trip through upstate New York to an oceanfront lodge in Lincolnville Beach, Maine. U.S. District Judge Thomas Rose approved the trip over the objections of the U.S. Attorney's office.

The judge's permission was required because Fiorini is under court order not to leave the Southern District of Ohio.

Tom Clark, a Miami Heights resident who is awaiting the return of $20,000 from Fiorini, said the travel restrictions should be enforced.

"He hasn't fulfilled any of his obligations," Clark said. "He should take care of his own business before he takes any vacation."

In papers filed with the court, Fiorini said the two couples will make an overnight pit stop at his cousin's house in Crompond, N.Y., then proceed to Maine, where the Herdoizas will celebrate a wedding anniversary in a house for eight. The fully equipped rental home will set them back $1,800 for the week. Fiorini said the Herdoizas are footing all expenses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John DiPuccio objected to the vacation. He said Fiorini hasn't paid back any of the $5 million owed his victims. He said Fiorini's delinquent tax returns are still overdue.

"I've no concerns about flight," DiPuccio said. "I think he'll be back, but it's a little frustrating when he hasn't paid a penny of restitution and investors are out millions of dollars while he's traveling on a top-end vacation on the coast of Maine. I've got victims who don't have money for vacation."

Paul Fiorelli, a Xavier University law professor and director of the college's Center for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility, said the notion of a convicted person taking vacation on the eve of sentencing struck him as unusual.

"One could argue that when somebody has taken money from you, you send him to prison for retribution. "Taking a vacation to Maine might not be consistent with the 'just desserts' philosophy behind sentencing."

E-mail jmcnair@enquirer.com