Did you hear?… Sussman receives sentence

Gordy Sussman, founder of Rutabaga, a Madison, Wis.-based, paddlesports store he sold to current owners Jeff Weidman and Darren Bush in 2002, received his sentence from Dane County Circuit Judge James Martin on Dec. 28 for his conviction by a jury on two counts of repeated sexual assault of a child and 16 counts of possessing child pornography.

Although it has been reported that 53-year-old Sussman admitted having the child pornography, he has not admitted that the assaults occurred. Martin nevertheless recommended during sentencing that Sussman receive counseling and “embrace the rehabilitation and use it so you can one day come back and be a productive citizen.”

Sussman will spend a minimum of five and a half years behind bars before becoming eligible for parole. The most he will serve will be nine years and eight months, with six months already credited for the time he has been in Dane County Jail following his conviction. Once released, Sussman will receive 12 years of extended supervision by the court.