Tanzi, now 74, has been jailed since 2011 for his role in the scandal that defrauded thousands of small-time investors, despite arguments by his lawyer that his health is failing and that he should be granted house arrest under a law allowing it for convicts over age 70.

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On return to my unit I was placed under arrest to be charged with rendering myself unfit for duty i.e. suicide bid.

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Even if he does finally go to jail, the time served could be as little as one month, because of time already spent under arrest, and a potential reduction for good behaviour.

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Magistrate Judge Marianne Bowler agreed to the request during a hearing Monday, saying he would be under "strict house arrest, " and only allowed to leave his home to meet with his lawyer and for true emergencies.

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