It could have been much worse: A judge sentenced Paul Manafort to 47 months in prison Thursday over bank and tax fraud, reports Politico. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the 69-year-old could have received more than 20 years, though US District Court Judge TS Ellis deemed that "excessive" and gave Manafort what he said would be the typical sentence in such a case, reports the Washington Post. Manafort, who served for a stint as President Trump's campaign chairman, will be sentenced in a separate case next week in DC, this one related to illegal lobbying. He could get up to 10 years. Some highlights from both men's comments in the courtroom:
- Manafort: “The last two years have been the most difficult years for my family and I,” Manafort told the judge before sentencing. “To say that I feel humiliated and ashamed would be a gross understatement.”
- Judge: "I was surprised I did not hear you express regret for engaging in criminal conduct," Ellis said, per CNN. "I hope you will reflect on that."
- Manafort: “I know it is my conduct that brought me here," he said. "My life —personally and professionally—is in shambles."
- Judge: He said that Manafort has been a "generous person" who has "lived an otherwise blameless life," but that Manafort's tax evasion was "a theft of money from everyone who pays taxes."
If Manafort were to receive a presidential pardon,
he is not necessarily out of legal trouble. (More
Paul Manafort stories.)
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