A kosher meat salesman who admitted to swindling investors out of nearly $2.5 million has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Sixty-year-old Arnold Zaler was sentenced Friday after admitting to a Denver stadium hot dog sales scheme in which he forged food orders to make it seem he was selling more than he was. Zaler was indicted in early 2008 but fled to Israel when he was released on bond.

Zaler was returned to Colorado after being nabbed at the Atlanta airport in February. Zaler apologized to his victims in court Friday and said that he has a mental illness and was trying to be "a big shot."

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Information from: The Denver Post, http://www.denverpost.com