Violinist sentenced to 3 years for fraud

<p>A man convicted of swindling Bay Area violin collectors out of thousands of dollars has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.</p><p>Authorities say Joseph Tang, 29, an accomplished violinist, posed as a broker and took high-end instruments on consignment, but never paid the owners.</p><p>In May, he pleaded guilty in federal court to eight counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud between 2002 and 2006. Tang also was ordered to pay more than $436,000 in restitution to the victims.</p><p>Tang, a Canadian citizen, also faces deportation.</p><p>-- Press Democrat news services</p>