A wannabe musician caught up in the insider trading scandal that felled ex-Congressman Chris Collins dodged time behind bars Friday — after begging the judge to listen to his music in order to better understand him.
“I hope that someday you will hear my songs, and hear the other side of me,” 67-year-old Stephen Zarsky said as he faced the music before Manhattan federal court Judge Vernon Broderick.
Broderick ultimately sentenced the New Jersey man — the future father-in-law of Collins’ son, Cameron — to just four years probation and 250 hours of community service.
“Perhaps you can use that time on home detention to work on some songs,” the judge said after imposing sentence.
Zarsky was arrested alongside Chris and Cameron Collins in 2018 after acting on a confidential tip from his future son-in-law to dump shares in Australian biotech company Innate Immunotherapeutics.
Former Rep. Collins was famously caught on camera by a CBS crew placing the telltale call to Cameron from a White House picnic in 2017 to inform him of a failed drug trial. Cameron then told Zarsky.
The retired project manner traded on the info, avoiding nearly $145,00 in losses.
All three men pleaded guilty last year to charges various charges including insider trading and lying to the FBI.
Prosecutors asked that the judge sentence Zarsky to somewhere between 37 and 46 months in prison, while defense attorney Mauro Wolf — who said his client had the heart of a “romantic poet” — asked for no jail time.
“You’re getting a break here,” Broderick told Zarsky as he wrapped up the sentencing. “I hope that I don’t see you again.”
As he left the courtroom, a smiling Zarky told The Post he’d characterize his musical style as “acoustic guitar, singing — folk.”
Zarsky’s sentencing comes just a day after Broderick slapped Cameron, 27, with five years probation, 500 hours community service and a $150,000 fine.
Broderick last week sentenced the disgraced lawmaker to 26 months behind bars.
Collins, who resigned from his representation of New York’s 27th District last year, is expected to surrender to prison officials March 17.
