'Career con man' returned to jail after appeal loss

SCHENECTADY — The man convicted for a scheme to defraud classic car owners returned to jail Wednesday, after losing an appeal of his conviction last month.
Ferdinando “Fred” Perillo, 66, was sentenced to 5 1/2 to 11 years in state prison after a trial last year. At his sentencing, the judge called him a “career con man” who was unrepentant for his crimes.
Perillo appealed the conviction and won his release on bail, pending the results of the appeal.
Judge Frank P. Milano on Wednesday ordered Perillo back into custody, prosecutor Michael DeMatteo said.
Perillo has asked the state Court of Appeals to hear the case, but it has yet to decide on that request.
Absent further intervention, Perillo is expected to serve his sentence, attorneys said Wednesday.
At trial, Perillo was found guilty of larceny in connection with the fraudulent sale of a 1976 Chevrolet Nova and for taking thousands of dollars from another victim for auto parts that were never delivered.
The Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court last month upheld the conviction, rejecting arguments over evidence and ineffective counsel. However, the appeals court ordered a hearing on how much restitution Perillo should pay.
That hearing was set for last week, but Perillo failed to show. His attorney, Matthew Hug, indicated Parillo had been hospitalized for an unspecified ailment. The hearing is now scheduled for early January.