Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort returned to federal court Wednesday for his final court appearance, 17 months after the first indictment of Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation brought him in to face a judge and five months after his help to Mueller's investigation fell apart.
Good News: Manafort will be celebrating his 70th birthday in prison — serving a total of 7.5 years in prison.
Bad News: A second slap on the wrist. White Collar Crime pays!
Mar 7, 2019: Sentenced to 47 months for 8 counts of a financial fraud including Bank Fraud and Tax Evasion by Judge T.S. Ellis And Manafort was ordered to pay $24 million in restitution, including $6 million in unpaid taxes, as well as a $50,000 fine.
Mar. 13, 2019: Sentenced to 73 months with 30 months to be served consecutively for conspiracy against the US and witness tampering by Judge Amy Berman Jackson
He pleaded guilty to two criminal charges: conspiracy against the US and conspiracy witness tampering, which he committed after his arrest.
In all, Manafort cannot be sentenced for more than 10 years total for the two crimes Jackson will assess on Wednesday.
From NPR
"We're here today for crimes that Paul Manafort committed for over a decade"—crimes that involved over 30 offshore accounts in at least three foreign countries, hiding income he used "to fuel his extravagant lifestyle," prosecutor Andrew Weissman told the judge.
"Mr. Manafort committed crimes that undermined our political process and subverted the due process of law."
"It's hard to overstate the number of lies, the amount of fraud involved ... and there is no good explanation to warrant the leniency requested. More houses than a family can enjoy; more suits than one man can wear.", Judge Amy Berman Jackson
Will Trump pardon his former Campaign Manager? Why?
“Manafort has nothing to do with our campaign. I’ll tell you, ... You know, Paul Manafort worked for me for a very short period of time…. He worked for me, what, for 49 days or something? A very short period of time.”
— Donald J Trump #potus45