Can Someone Explain How Papadoofus' Sentence Is Not Overly Lenient?

[LandOfHopeAndDreams]

It seems to me, that with Mueller asking for a 6 month sentence, the fact he only got 2 weeks is a big win for George. With good behavior, I imagine he'll be out in less than that, and if not, it's still 14 days for his part in the obstruction by committing perjury in front of the FBI.

When they said a couple of weeks back that Mueller was asking for a 6 month sentence, the speculation I heard was that it seemed likely that he did not provide them with enough, or was not cooperating 100%, hence the high time request.

For those saying that perhaps this 2 week conviction is a sign that he did in fact provide good information to Mueller. But if that were the case, then why did Mueller ask for 12+ times that length?

[DonViejo]

1. He flipped

[LandOfHopeAndDreams]

2. When?

And if it was within the past couple of weeks, then why didn't Mueller amend his 6 month sentence request?

[SHRED]

3. Last October is when we found out

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-campaign-adviser-george-papadopoulos-pleads-guilty-lying-n815596

[DonViejo]

8. Months and months ago

Just last month he and his wife were trying to get out of the deal because Mueller was asking for six months. Mueller fully explained in court documents, yes, he helped but he also lied, undermining the investigation

[LandOfHopeAndDreams]

11. Yes!!

So my question remains, if Mueller was asking for 6 months just last month, how is 2 weeks not a loss for Mueller?

Like Tweety just said, 2 weeks is practically a jaywalking sentence, for lying to the FBI repeatedly.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. His flipping happened over a year ago

I am surprised that people have forgotten. He was the first.

I guess because the past year has been such a nightmare and so many things have happened...ugh.

There was a huge thread posted last December with a Seth Abramson twitter mega-thread laying out some details that we have now slowly seen come to fruition - https://upload.democraticunderground.com/100210040791

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. They wrung everything useful out of him that they could.

And he has no prior criminal record. I assume it was within the federal sentencing guidelines.

[LandOfHopeAndDreams]

5. Nobody Has Really Addressed My Question

Mueller recently asked for 6 months. This was interpreted as being high, and likely due to him not cooperating as much as Mueller felt he could.

Today P got a fraction of that amount.

How is that not a loss for Mueller? Sure, he might not have expected to get the full 6 months, but 2 weeks is less than 10% of the time requested by Mueller, and seems like something P will be quite pleased with, especially if he did not fully cooperate.

[GemDigger]

16. It's not a loss to Mueller if Papa ended up spilling the beans.

And it is showing the others not to lie to the peeps when they question you.

[ChazInAz]

17. Papa was a little fish.

He was probably "persuaded" to give over everything that he knew so Mueller could get his main target. The persuasion being a choice between six months or two weeks.
Buffoon Trump thinks this is a "win" for him.

[manor321]

6. It's absolutely disgusting

People get thrown in jail for years for minor offenses.

This JACKHOLE literally allowed Mifsud to escape the US, because he hadn't cooperated when first interviewed by the FBI.

[Kaleva]

7. Mueller never asked for a 6 month sentence

"Prosecutors did not recommend a sentence for Papadopoulos,...."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/former-trump-adviser-george-papadopoulos-sentenced-to-14-days-in-plea-deal-with-mueller-probe/2018/09/07/bef367a2-b210-11e8-aed9-001309990777_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.2327bb924952

[LandOfHopeAndDreams]

10. I Could Swear

I watch the MSNBC shows nightly, and I am 100% positive there was a Breaking News report a couple of weeks ago, where they said Mueller was asking for 6 months, and then they did their usual speculation as to why it was so high a request, when P was supposedly cooperating. And I'm pretty sure it was being discussed on several threads here at DU.

It was the same day that P's wife came out and started saying they wanted to back out of deal. I remember that clearly. I'm not making this up.

[Kaleva]

13. I think you may have heard wrong.

The federal sentencing guideline is anywhere from probation up to 6 months. I believe the prosecutors, while they didn't recommend a sentence, did say that up to 6 months in prison would be a fair punishment for the crime he pled guilty to.

Edit: I have found no source that states that Mueller was seeking a 6 month sentence for P.

[Recursion]

12. 6 months is the statutory max.

A judge weighs several factors in sentencing. In this case he found the criminal's remorse sincere and his likelihood to reoffend small, and so chose a lighter punishment.

[DURHAM D]

14. White collar, no big deal.

If he had been caught with meth what would he get? months? years?

[LonePirate]

29. Yeah, if he had been caught with an ounce of weed, he would have been sentenced to years in prison.

[ecstatic]

15. It's not fair when you look at people serving much more time for less. nt

[trixie2]

19. For drugs, I think the rule of thumb is that if you must get caught then get caught by the feds

It's the states that have the archaic mandatory laws and 3 strikes crap.

[Jarqui]

18. A sentence like that could go a long way towards convincing someone to

lie some to the FBI because if they get caught, the penalty is not too severe.

[trixie2]

20. That makes no sense

[Jarqui]

22. The guy plead guilty to lying to the FBI

Even though he flipped some, allegedly because of his deception, a Russian they really wanted got away.
He got a slap on the wrist - 2/3rds of 2 week sentence with good behavior.
That is not a discouraging precedent for future potential liars.

[EffieBlack]

33. A felony conviction is a pretty serious deterrent regardless how long the sentence

And I don’t know anyone who would say, “I was thinking about lying to the FBI but didn’t want to risk becoming a convicted felon. But then I saw that some guy who lied only got two weeks in jail instead of six months and so I said “Hey, I’m down for that! I’m gonna lie!”

[Jarqui]

34. Conspiring with the Russians is way more serious

Normally, if one doesn't tell the complete truth, they lose the entire deal.
Holding him to that, helps keep others in line who come along behind him.

He did not fully honor his deal. Because of it, at least one key Russian got away.
they should be making an example of him.

[EffieBlack]

35. Well, maybe you should take it up with Mueller since you seem to think you know more

about how this should have been handled than he and his team of experienced federal investigators and prosecutors do ...

[Jarqui]

41. That's a strawman. I never said I knew more than Mueller.

Under the first amendment, when I last checked, I am entitled to an opinion.

Normally, as I understand criminal law, it is the judge who makes the final decision on sentences - not Mueller, investigators and prosecutors. And judges are not even bound by plea deals - they can reject them. But obviously, you claim to know something the rest of us don't that overrides that reasoning. Good luck with that.

I suspect Mueller's team are disappointed he got off so easy for lying to them - in part, because it doesn't help discourage others facing criminal charges in similar positions with from lying to them as part of their plea deal.

[triron]

36. I think something very fishy is going on.

[Kaleva]

37. Lying to the FBI can get you anywhere from probation up to 6 months.

You seem to have more of an issues with the federal sentencing guidelines then the actual sentence.

Being a convicted felon is going to close many doors to him and will cost him a great deal in the long run.

[Demsrule86]

40. That is not the message...the message is cooperate and you will do well...don't and your could face

years in prison.

[canetoad]

21. Copied from the Sentencing Memorandum

Pdf available here: https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000165-4ab8-d0d5-af75-fbfc1ad30001


GOVERNMENT’S SENTENCING MEMORANDUM
The government submits this memorandum in connection with the sentencing of George
Papadopoulos scheduled for September 7, 2018. On October 5, 2017, Papadopoulos pleaded guilty
to one count of making false statements in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a). The government does
not take a position with respect to a particular sentence to be imposed, but respectfully submits
that a sentence of incarceration, within the applicable Guidelines range of 0 to 6 months’
imprisonment, is appropriate and warranted.

[LandOfHopeAndDreams]

23. Him & His Trophy Wife Will Be Hired By Faux Before Month Ends

Not a bad reward for lying to the FBI.

[bigtree]

24. Judge addressed this in sentencing

...pointed out that first time offenders of Papadopolous's status rarely serve time, but he imposed this token sentence, anyway, because the crime was related to national security.

[Grassy Knoll]

25. He's A Convicted Felon ...Then An Ex Felon..For Life

Plus He Got Some Sort Of Probation For A Year Or Two Trying
To Protect pRez From This "Rusher Thing".

[COLGATE4]

31. He also got 200 hours of Community service

and a fine of $9,500.00.

[Grassy Knoll]

32. Good..

[at140]

26. Mueller already has good info from so many...

Papadapolous, Cohen, Flynn, gates, Zwann, etc have already cooperated with Mueller. Manafort does not want 2nd trial and is negotiating something.

Let's go Mueller, raid Trump towers next!

[LonePirate]

30. Mueller may have info but we have no idea if anything he has is good. It's speculative to say that.

[Pachamama]

27. It's a message to prospective witnesses:

Flip and work with the special counsel and we go lenient on you....

Don’t and well....

[triron]

28. Pappadopoulos told his lawyer he doesn't remember telling anyone on the Trump campaign

about the alleged 'dirt on Hillary Clinton'. I call bullshit.

[Kaleva]

38. Post #21 answers your question

[Demsrule86]

39. He cooperated that is why...