A Jacksonville businessman accused of faking his own death in Venezuela and swindling banks and insurance companies out of millions of dollars has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Jose Lantigua used to operate the Circle K furniture store on Jacksonville's Westside.
He was reported dead in Venezuela in 2013. His family said he died of a heart attack and was cremated.
Lantigua’s disappearance led to multiple lawsuits stemming from loans he took out using life insurance policies as collateral.
He was arrested in Buncombe County, North Carolina, in 2015.
A judge sentenced him to 14 years in prison in Duval County on Feb. 1.
Lantigua receives a 14 yr sentence, his wife Simpson receives 5 yrs probation @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/aMN3zLQ67s
— KatieMcKee (@KatieWSYX6) February 1, 2017
Cox Media Group
