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Background: Author Clifford Irving, perpetrator of the Howard Hughes "autobiography" saga - one of the biggest library hoaxes in history - was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment and fined 10,000 dollars (3,850 pounds Sterling) in a New York Federal Court on Friday (16 June).

Judge John Cannella sentenced the author's German-born wife, Edith, to two months in jail and fined her an equal amount.

The Federal charge to which the Irvings pleaded guilty was conspiracy to swindle the MacGraw-Hill Publishing Company of 750,000 dollars (289,000 pounds Sterling).

After the Federal sentences were served, the Irvings appeared at the New york State Supreme Court, where the couple pleaded guilty to charges of grand larceny and conspiracy.

State Judge Joseph Martinis decided, however, "that no further punishment should be given the defendants" following those handed down in the Federal Court.

But the State Court sentenced Irving's researcher, Richard Susskind, to six months in jail for his part in the conspiracy.

During the Federal hearings, Irving and his wife made personal appeals for leniency, in which they both expressed concern for the fate of their two small children.

Responding to the pleas, Judge Cannella decided that the author will not begin serving his sentence until his wife finishes her two months in jail. In that way, one of the Irvings will be able to care for the children.