John Rigas should get ‘compassionate release’ from prison, feds say

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan on Friday called for the “compassionate release” of former cable television mogul John Rigas from prison because the one-time Adelphia Communications owner is suffering from terminal cancer.

Rigas, 91, was given a sentence of 15 years for looting Adelphia, of Coudersport, Pennsylvania. The government said he has bladder cancer that has metastasized to his lungs and is expected to live less than six months. He is due to be released in January 2018.

Lawyers for Rigas had requested early release in December. U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood must sign off on it.