Man sentenced for stealing from nieces, nephews

A man who stole from his bereaved nieces and nephews was sentenced to 7½ years in prison by a judge who ignored his relatives’ pleas for leniency.

Rahshone Burnett administered a $5.7 million settlement made by the Chicago Housing Authority to his sister’s five children after their mother was killed in a fire. Prosecutors say the 34-year-old Burnett spent about $1 million on luxury vehicles, jewelry and a suburban home.

To earn back the stolen money, Burnett turned to drug dealing.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Burnett apologized Monday to his family and Cook County Circuit Judge Matthew Kennelly, saying he “`felt entitled to stuff.”

Niece Krishonna Bond made a plea for mercy for Burnett. But Kennelly said Burnett’s crime was committed not only against the victims, but also against society.