NEW YORK (AP) — A Staten Island businessman who wrote $82 million in bogus checks has been sentenced to probation.

Wholesale business owner Saquib Khan could have gotten up to 78 months in prison. Federal Judge Raymond Dearie on Tuesday cited Khan’s standing and good works in the community for the light sentence.

The Daily News (http://nydn.us/1x3dwW2 ) says his lawyers submitted letters from state Sen. Diane Savino and former Homeland Security Special Agent in Charge Martin Ficke. The letters praised his work between the Muslim community and authorities after 9/11.

Court paper say Khan wrote the checks after his business faltered following Superstorm Sandy.

His company supplies gas stations with grocery products.

He must pay $4.8 million to the government in forfeiture funds and $4.8 million in restitution to several banks.

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Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com

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