R.I. Supreme Court upholds Daniel Doyle’s embezzlement conviction

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The state Supreme Court Wednesday upheld Daniel Doyle’s conviction for embezzling more than $1 million from the Institute for International Sport — the nonprofit he founded.

Doyle’s conviction included 18 counts of embezzlement, forgery and obtaining money under false pretenses. He used money from the nonprofit institute claiming to pay for cosmetic eye surgery, a wedding rehearsal dinner, his daughters’ college education, and personal bonuses. His conviction also included forging signatures.

Doyle forged one of his most dedicated supporters, philanthropist and former Hasbro CEO Alan Hassenfeld.

Doyle’s lawyers, Gary Pelletier and David Levy, argued that prosecution disillusioned the jury by presenting evidence about conduct which he was never charged. The high court rejected these arguments.

Doyle was convicted in December of 2016, which lasted 12 weeks and is believed to be the state’s longest criminal trial.

Jurors heard testimony from 65 witnesses and deliberated for five days before finding Doyle guilty on all 18 counts of embezzlement.

Doyle was sentenced to 15 years was by Superior Court Judge Melanie Wilk Thunberg. He was sentenced to serve 7 of those 15 years and was ordered to pay $550,000 to the Hassenfeld Foundation.

Currently Doyle, of West Hartford, Connecticut, is serving in the minimum security at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

This was the court’s final ruling before summer recess, Doyle was not granted appeal.