A father and son who built Adelphia Communications into a cable television powerhouse before they were accused of ruining it have been resentenced to lesser prison terms.

Federal prosecutors announced Wednesday that Adelphia founder John Rigas had his 15-year sentence reduced to 12 years. His son, Timothy, had his 20-year sentence reduced to 17 years.

In reducing the sentences, Judge Leonard Sand in Manhattan writes that "a minimal adjustment is appropriate" but also notes the seriousness of the crimes.

Adelphia collapsed into bankruptcy in 2002. At the time, it was the country's fifth-largest cable TV company.

After its collapse, Adelphia moved from Pennsylvania to Greenwood Village, Colo. Its assets have sence been sold to Comcast and Time Warner Cable.