Paul Manafort seeks leniency from judge as he faces life in prison

[nitpicker]

Source: The Guardian

Paul Manafort seeks leniency from judge as he faces life in prison

Associated Press

Tue 26 Feb 2019 02.48 GMT

Paul Manafort, the longtime political consultant who once led Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, asked a federal judge for leniency Monday as he faces the potential of spending the rest of his life in prison in criminal cases stemming from the Russia investigation.

In a new court filing, Manafort’s attorneys painted the 69-year-old as a victim of circumstance, prosecuted by special counsel Robert Mueller only because the government could not make the case that he colluded with the Kremlin’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. They also dismissed the prosecutors’ characterization of Manafort as a hardened criminal, saying he was merely a wealthy consultant who committed “garden variety” crimes by illegally lobbying for Ukrainian interests and hiding millions from the IRS.
(snip)

The US district judge Amy Berman Jackson, who will decide Manafort’s sentence, ruled that Manafort had violated his plea deal by lying to federal agents about several subjects, including about his interactions with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate who the US says has ties to Russian intelligence.

Manafort hasn’t been accused of any crimes related to Russian election interference, but court papers have revealed that Manafort gave Kilimnik polling data related to the Trump campaign during the 2016 election.
(snip)

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/25/paul-manafort-leniency-prison

[progressoid]

1. "saying he was merely a wealthy consultant who committed "garden variety" crimes"

[Lochloosa]

2. They did not really put that in there? committed "garden variety" crimes

Really? So what they are saying is everyone does it, so he should get a pass,?

Fuck him and his lawyers.

[Akacia]

3. Garden variety crimes?

Wow that is just irritating. So he should get a pass? Man that is too much!

[smb]

17. So Put Him To Work In The Prison Garden For His "Garden Variety" Crimes nt

[ck4829]

25. Yeah, that's so out of touch they're in a different state

[benld74]

4. Well, could release him on plane to Moscow

[robbob]

10. How about release him FROM a plane headed to Moscow?

...or anywhere, really. At 10,000 feet.

[Wuddles440]

11. It's early but....

this is in the running for Comment of the Day!

[Hekate]

5. He's the very definition of chutzpah. Also he's now desperate.

[Sherman A1]

6. If I was in his shoes

I would seek leniency as well, I believe that anyone would do so, fully realizing that it's at best a very long shot.

[emulatorloo]

22. Just another excuse-making member of "the party of personal responsibility"

[UpInArms]

7. What a joke

This is the best they can come up with?

“Garden variety “ of crimes? He is no carrot, folks ... Manafort is and has been a criminal for most of his too long life on the streets.

[lagomorph777]

14. He's reaping what he sowed. Should've accepted Mueller's old tomato.

[oasis]

23. Lol. Good one.

[Thekaspervote]

8. lying to the prosecutor after having struck a cooperation deal? Just another garden variety crime

No shame, truth, respect, honor.. nothing

[BumRushDaShow]

9. WTF? "committed 'garden variety' crimes"

[BlueIdaho]

12. No, no, and No...

A lifelong career criminal found a home in the corrupt Republica party. He needs to die in prison.

[Uben]

13. No leniency, he's a traitor!

Put this cretin where he belongs....prison for life no possible parole!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. Manafort's a "victim of circumstance"?

Perhaps he needs a good Prison Playlist

[SunSeeker]

16. Lock up the traitor and throw away the key!

[dogknob]

18. 2 words: GENERAL POPULATION

That is all...

[Capt. America]

19. But your honor, I honestly thought I would never get caught!

[forklift]

20. Fat chance

ain't gonna happen.

[mpcamb]

21. Too little. Way too late. Sorry, Paul. Gonna get what's coming to ya.

[ck4829]

24. Hahahaha. No.

[WhiteTara]

26. I hope her ruling begins with

Womp Womp Traitor.

[sprinkleeninow]

27. A day late 'n' a dollar short.

N-O spells NOOO.