Bob Bashara sentenced to prison for up to 20 years

By Amy Lange
Fox 2 News

DETROIT (WJBK) -- "Throughout my life, I have tried to help those less fortunate," Bob Bashara told Judge Bruce Morrow on Monday.

Once seemingly a pillar of his tony Grosse Pointe Park community, a Rotarian who donated a million pounds of food,
clothing and books to those in need, Bashara asked for leniency from the judge in his sentencing.  He had earlier pled guilty to trying to have accused hit man Joseph Gentz killed.

"My name on a plaque means nothing to me.  What does mean something is being able to use your talents and your skills to help those less fortunate," said Bashara.

As his mother and other relatives looked on, prosecutors said Bashara showed no remorse and took no responsibility for his actions.  He disagreed.

"If someone is in my way, the solution is not to follow the rules of ordered society, but to hire someone to kill the person in my way, and that is what he did to Mr. Gentz," said Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Robert Moran.

"I understand that I must pay for what I have done and absolutely stand before you and my family and the world to take responsibility for my actions," Bashara said.

Gentz, who is accused of killing Bashara's wife Jane back in January and claims Bob paid him to do it, had Susan Reed, his attorney, read his statement.

"I have been telling the truth from the beginning.  Bob has used me and threatened me.  He told me he had friends in the mafia and would have me killed," Gentz's statement said.  "I was afraid for my life because he said he could get to me anywhere, even in jail."

In the end, the judge showed no leniency.

"I'm of the opinion that he should receive a sentence of 80 months to 240 months," Morrow said.

That's a minimum of six years and eight months to 20 years behind bars.

Bashara seemed to sit in court in disbelief.

"It's difficult.  Very emotional.  I mean, this is not an easy thing to go through, obviously," said Mark Kriger, his attorney.

The judge told Bashara he does get credit for time served, which is 168 days.

Up next is the trial for Joseph Gentz.  Meanwhile, it is still unclear whether or not Bashara will be charged in the murder of his wife.