PROVIDENCE – In U.S. District Court on Sept. 13, a judge, lawyers and jurors waited for a West Warwick man accused of running a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme.
But on the day of his trial, 58-year-old Thomas Huling was in a hotel room at Foxwoods, prosecutors say.
His failure to appear at trial two weeks ago was a consequential backdrop on Wednesday when he wore jailhouse scrubs to an appearance before Judge Mary S. McElroy.
This time, Huling waived his right to a trial and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion. Under the plea deal, the government agreed to the dismissal of all other counts in the 21-count indictment.
The change of plea paved the way for McElroy to sentence him for schemes that defrauded investors and tax authorities and helped pay for his golf outings, restaurant dining and entertainment.
But Huling’s lawyer wanted to know: Would McElroy allow him to go home before his sentencing?
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert had pointed guidance for McElroy on that request.
“When the going gets tough,” she cautioned the judge, “he gets going.”
Hebert told McElroy that she and a federal agent visited Foxwoods to view video that showed what Huling was doing while jurors waited for him in court.
They saw him checking into a Foxwoods hotel room on Sept. 11 and saw him emerging on Tuesday, Sept. 13. A valet pulled up in his Mercedes, and he got in and drove off.
On Sept. 12, a probation officer had telephoned him three times, Hebert said. He didn’t pick up the…
