Frank Lucas, whose life story was depicted in the Denzel Washington film “American Gangster”, was sentenced to five years probation.
Lucas pleaded guilty in May for stealing a government check. Lucas took a $17,000 federal government assistance check, cashed it and claimed it was lost. He later requested a replacement check.
The 81-year-old appeared at his sentencing on Friday in a wheelchair. He suffers from arthritis and diabetes.
Lucas is popularly known for being a major heroin importer in the 1970s.