A former DEA agent has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for corruption. A jury convicted Joseph Bongiovanni of using his badge to protect childhood friends involved in drug trafficking in Buffalo, New York. On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo issued the sentence, which was less than the 15 years prosecutors sought. Bongiovanni was convicted of obstruction of justice and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors said his actions caused significant damage over 11 years. The case also highlighted corruption within the DEA, with at least 17 agents facing federal charges in the past decade.
