Former American Honda Motor Co. executive John Billmyer was sentenced Monday to 5 years in prison for his involvement in what could be the largest kickback scheme in the nation.
Another executive, Dennis Josleyn, was scheduled to be sentenced later in U.S. District Court.
Billmyer, 65, of Raleigh, N.C., was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Josleyn faces up to 35 years for racketeering and mail fraud.
In June, a jury found the men guilty of taking millions of dollars in kickbacks from dealers and businessmen who wanted preferential treatment when the cars were in hot demand and short supply from 1979 to 1992.
Billmyer, the top U.S. sales executive from 1983 to 1988, said if he committed any crime, the statute of limitations expired before he was charged.
Josleyn, 48, of Loveland, Colo., former West Coast Honda sales manager, admitted receiving $1.2 million from dealers as well as from advertising and training seminars.
