MADISON - An Albany man who robbed a Fitchburg convenience store after losing his wife and his business was placed on six years probation Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court with seven months in jail.
Ronald M. Goodman, 56, said he was duped in a $200,000 internet scam trying to save Goodman Construction, the Brodhead-based homebuilding company he operated for 25 years. His financial difficulties led to his wife, Carolyn Goodman, filing for divorce and he responded by issuing worthless checks in Rock County before driving around for a few days last June looking for someone to rob.
On June 5, he brought a realistic-looking handgun into the Town and Country Mart in Fitchburg and pointed it at the storeowner and left with an unspecified amount of money, said Assistant District Attorney Robert Kaiser.
Although Goodman didn't wear a mask he removed the license plates from the car he was using and was arrested within 15 minutes of the robbery while re-attaching the plates, said Goodman's attorney Laura Breun.
Goodman led an "upstanding life," until his divorce and financial difficulties, Breun said.
Although Goodman faced maximum statutory penalties of 40 years in prison, "the character letters written on his behalf affected my (plea) offer," Kaiser told Circuit Judge Nicolas McNamara.
McNamara noted there were many "positive comments in the letters (from family and community members) ... including at least three from others who are ministers."
After pleading guilty to armed robbery, Goodman said he committed the crime because he was in desperate straits after losing his business and $200,000 in the internet scam. Although he unsuccessfully sought release on bail this summer, he now says "the past five months I spent in jail was the best thing that ever happened to me."
During that time he said he counseled inmates, wrote half a book about not using desperate measures when financially stressed, and realized how he has failed his faith.
McNamara said it was difficult to understand "how a person so honest and generous would get to the point," Goodman did.
The storeowner also wrote a letter about the profound fear he lives with after his confrontation with Goodman and asked McNamara to impose the maximum punishment.
McNamara said he wouldn't do that and trusted Goodman and those who have pledged to support him after his jail sentence not to let him fail while on probation.
McNamara ordered Goodman to undergo a psychological evaluation and complete any recommended treatment and to have no contact with the store or its owner.
The Dane County Sherriff's Department will determine if Goodman is eligible for work release privileges while incarcerated. Gary Goodman, of Freeport, Ill, said he would like to hire his brother as a painter if he receives Huber privileges.
"He's about the most generous person I've known ... He's built three churches and 17 Habitat for Humanity homes," Gary Goodman said after court.
Ronald M. Goodman, 56, said he was duped in a $200,000 internet scam trying to save Goodman Construction, the Brodhead-based homebuilding company he operated for 25 years. His financial difficulties led to his wife, Carolyn Goodman, filing for divorce and he responded by issuing worthless checks in Rock County before driving around for a few days last June looking for someone to rob.
On June 5, he brought a realistic-looking handgun into the Town and Country Mart in Fitchburg and pointed it at the storeowner and left with an unspecified amount of money, said Assistant District Attorney Robert Kaiser.
Although Goodman didn't wear a mask he removed the license plates from the car he was using and was arrested within 15 minutes of the robbery while re-attaching the plates, said Goodman's attorney Laura Breun.
Goodman led an "upstanding life," until his divorce and financial difficulties, Breun said.
Although Goodman faced maximum statutory penalties of 40 years in prison, "the character letters written on his behalf affected my (plea) offer," Kaiser told Circuit Judge Nicolas McNamara.
McNamara noted there were many "positive comments in the letters (from family and community members) ... including at least three from others who are ministers."
After pleading guilty to armed robbery, Goodman said he committed the crime because he was in desperate straits after losing his business and $200,000 in the internet scam. Although he unsuccessfully sought release on bail this summer, he now says "the past five months I spent in jail was the best thing that ever happened to me."
During that time he said he counseled inmates, wrote half a book about not using desperate measures when financially stressed, and realized how he has failed his faith.
McNamara said it was difficult to understand "how a person so honest and generous would get to the point," Goodman did.
The storeowner also wrote a letter about the profound fear he lives with after his confrontation with Goodman and asked McNamara to impose the maximum punishment.
McNamara said he wouldn't do that and trusted Goodman and those who have pledged to support him after his jail sentence not to let him fail while on probation.
McNamara ordered Goodman to undergo a psychological evaluation and complete any recommended treatment and to have no contact with the store or its owner.
The Dane County Sherriff's Department will determine if Goodman is eligible for work release privileges while incarcerated. Gary Goodman, of Freeport, Ill, said he would like to hire his brother as a painter if he receives Huber privileges.
"He's about the most generous person I've known ... He's built three churches and 17 Habitat for Humanity homes," Gary Goodman said after court.