Two securities dealers were sentenced to prison.

The two co-founders of defunct ESM Government Securities Inc. were sentenced in a Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., court for their roles in the $315-million collapse of the firm, which led to a thrift crisis in Ohio. Ronnie R. Ewton was sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years probation. George Mead, who pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud and conspiracy last year, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.