By Brad Segall

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. (CBS) — The former general manager of a Montgomery County condominium complex is headed to state prison for at least 4½ years for orchestrating a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the residents at the Plymouth Hill apartments.

The courtroom today was packed with more than one hundred residents of the Plymouth Hill condos, mostly senior citizens on fixed incomes, including some who had to take second jobs to meet their expenses after Vincent Lopez and his coconspirators stole nearly $600,000 from them (see previous stories).

Judge William Furber went into the “aggravated” range to sentence Lopez, 68, of Quakertown, to 4½-12 years behind bars.

Prosecutors say Lopez and his codefendants would overcharge the condo association and then split the proceeds.   The thefts occurred over a nine-year period.

Larry Hausman, a 24-year resident of Plymouth Hill, says Lopez emptied the condo association’s coffers, leaving three major projects underfunded.

“We, in turn, had to get assessments, and it cost every owner thousands of dollars for each assessment, so it was a tremendous financial burden,” Hausman tells KYW Newsradio.

Prosecutors say Lopez spent the money on vacations to Florida, cell phones for his wife and his girlfriend, limousines, and Jersey shore rentals.

Prior to sentencing, Lopez asked the residents for forgiveness and called his actions “an inexcusable lapse in judgment.”  Judge Furber said he didn’t believe the apology was sincere.

Larry Hausman, the condo resident, is pleased with Lopez’s sentence.

“When you see anybody go to jail — walk out with his hands cuffed — it’s difficult,” he said afterward.  “But, you know, we waited 20 months for this moment.”