Former Pennsylvania Theater Owner Gets Prison for Insurance Fraud

A former Pennsylvania theater owner convicted of falsifying insurance claims involving a flood at one playhouse and a fire at another has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison.

Federal investigators say New Hope, Pennsylvania, resident Ralph Miller also must pay nearly $240,000 in restitution for claiming losses including a previously sold Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a grand piano found safe at his home. The insurance claims involve the 2006 flooding at the Bucks County Playhouse and a 2009 fire at the Poconos Playhouse.

Officials say the 69-year-old Miller has been ordered to spend a year on home confinement when he leaves prison.

A jury convicted Miller of fraud and money laundering last year. He was sentenced Monday.

Miller had said he hired adjusters to do the work and did nothing wrong.