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'Truth still matters': Judge sentences Roger Stone to 3 years in prison for obstructing Congress' Russia investigation – USA TODAY, USA Today

'Truth still matters': Judge sentences Roger Stone to 3 years in prison for obstructing Congress' Russia investigation – USA TODAY, USA Today

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             Roger Stone’s sentence marks a downfall for the longtime political consultant who has advised presidential campaigns stretching back to Richard Nixon.           USA TODAY

WASHINGTON – Roger Stone, a longtime friend and ally of President Donald Trump, was sentenced Thursday to 90 months in prison, a punishment that is likely to fuel criticism from the president and speculation that he’ll pardon the flamboyant gop operative.

Though less than what prosecutors originally asked for, the sentence marks a stunning downfall for the longtime political consultant who has advised presidential campaigns stretching back to Richard Nixon. The – year-old was found guilty in November of repeatedly lying to the House Intelligence Committee and obstructing its investigation into Russia’s meddling in the (presidential race.)

US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said Stone “took it upon himself to lie, to impede, to obstruct before the investigation was complete, in an endeavor to influence the result.”

“The truth still exists, the truth still matters,” Jackson said. “Roger Stone insisted that it doesn’t.” Stone stood expressionless next to his three defense attorneys.

Jackson also sentenced Stone to two years of probation and ordered him to pay $ , in fines.

‘Angst, anger and disappointment’: Roger Stone intervention stokes uncertainty across federal justice system Who is Amy Berman Jackson: Judge in Roger Stone case has been criticized by Trump and his allies

Stone, wearing a dark pinstripe suit and blue tie, smiled briefly as he exited the courtroom. He declined to respond to questions shouted by a gauntlet of reporters.

The sentence will not take effect until Jackson rules on a pending motion for a new trial . Stone’s attorneys made the request last week after Trump accused one of the jurors of “significant bias.”

Stone’s convictions stem from his actions in 2018, when he tried to set up back-channel communications with WikiLeaks to push for the release of emails stolen from the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Stone repeatedly lied to the House Intelligence Committee about his efforts, denying that he had talked to the Trump campaign about them. Judge defends integrity of prosecution Jackson’s decision, announced before a packed courtroom, came after a tumultuous 12 days for the Justice Department.

Four career prosecutors withdrew from Stone’s case last week after the Justice Department overruled their recommendation that he serve seven to nine years in prison. One resigned. The reversal came hours after Trump criticized the recommended sentence, raising concerns among prosecutors , former prosecutors and judges about political interference in the Justice Department . More than 2, 03 former Justice Department officials have called for Attorney General William Barr to resign.

Roger Stone: Prosecutors quit case as DOJ backtracks on prison recommendation for Trump ally Barr and Trump: AG Barr has considered resigning over President Trump’s interference in Justice investigations

Prior to announcing her sentence, Jackson rebuked Stone’s conduct, saying he was “proud to act with impunity outside the law.” She defended the “integrity” of the investigation, in an apparent nod to Trump’s repeated attacks.

“There was nothing unfair about the investigation and the prosecution, ”Jackson said, adding that Stone was not prosecuted because of his politics. “He was prosecuted for covering up for the president.”

In a thinly veiled reference to Trump, Jackson said Stone’s sentence should not be decided or influenced by someone who’s a friend of the defendant and whose “political career was aided by the defendant.” Jackson called the Justice Department’s intervention “unprecedented” and praised the four prosecutors, Aaron Zelinsky, Adam Jed, Michael Marando and Jonathan Kravis.

“Any suggestion that the prosecution in this case did anything untoward, unethical or improper is incorrect,” Jackson said.

In its revised sentencing memo, the Justice Department said the aggravating factors used to arrive at the original recommendation still applied, but seven to nine years in prison would be too harsh.

Jackson agreed. (Prosecutors stand by original sentencing rationale) Assistant U.S. Attorney John Crabb Jr. apologized to Jackson for the confusion caused by the conflicting sentence recommendations.

Crabb, who took over the case just last week , Said the original recommendation was approved by newly appointed US Attorney Timothy Shea, but not by the top leadership of the Justice Department. Crabb said there was “a miscommunication” between Shea and Barr “regarding the expectations that the attorney general had” for a lesser sentence.

Pressed by Jackson, Crabb declined to explain internal deliberations.

despite the reversal, prosecutors Thursday effectively stood by the rationale in the original sentencing memo.

Crabb asked Jackson to impose “a substantial period of incarceration,” though he did not recommend a specific time period.

Defense attorneys argued the guideline for first-time offenders convicted of similar crimes is (to months. They asked that Stone be sentenced to probation.

Seth Ginsberg, one of the defense attorneys, urged Jackson to think of Stone as “a real person, not a media figure, not a political character,” and to consider Stone’s old age.

“Mr. Stone has many admirable qualities,” Ginsberg said, citing supportive letters submitted to the court. Ginsberg noted Stone’s advocacy work to help veterans, animals and NFL players with traumatic brain injuries.

In (arguing) for a sentence of seven to nine years, the original prosecuting team called Stone’s crimes “a direct and brazen attack on the rule of law.” They outlined what they considered aggravating factors: threatening emails and text messages to a witness, depriving the House Intelligence Committee of documents needed in its Russia investigation, inclusive extensive crimes that spanned years, and posting an Instagram image of the judge with a gun’s crosshair next to her head.

During the hearing, which lasted less than three hours, Jackson agreed that all but one of the aggravating factors should apply in sentencing Stone. She said she did not agree Stone’s crimes were extensive. Stone ‘knew exactly what he was doing’

Jackson castigated Stone over his actions after he was indicted in early , including his repeated violation of a gag order prohibiting him from speaking publicly about the case and posting an Instagram image of the judge with a gun’s crosshair next to her face. “He used the tools of social media to achieve the broadest dissemination possible. … He knew exactly what he was doing,” Jackson said. “The defendant engaged in a threatening and intimidating conduct towards the court.”

Stone’s hearing in the federal courthouse in Washington Attracted a small, eclectic group of protesters who stood in the cold holding signs that said “Putin’s lapdog.” Some called Stone a traitor as he arrived Thursday morning. Others held a banner saying “#PardonRogerStone. Nearby was an inflatable rat mascot with Trump-style hair.

Two billboard trucks circled the courthouse. One addressed Barr: “Have you forgotten your oath?”

As Stone left the courthouse, he smiled briefly, ignoring bystanders shouting “lock him up” and “pardon Roger Stone.”

A stiff sentence: (Four career prosecutors are the target of Trump’s anger. Here’s how they came up with a stiff sentence for Roger Stone.

Fact check: Trump says ‘nobody can even define’ what Roger Stone did. Here are crimes Stone committed Stone is th e latest Trump ally to be convicted and sentenced in cases stemming from former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s election interference.

Five other former Trump campaign aides and allies have pleaded guilty or were convicted as a result of the Mueller investigation.

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who’s still awaiting sentencing, pleaded guilty to making false statements to investigators about his contacts with a Russian ambassador. Flynn’s case has been bogged down after the former Army general withdrew his guilty plea and accused prosecutors of forcing him to admit to crimes he did not commit.

Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, is serving more than seven years in prison after he was convicted of several charges, including fraud. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney, is serving three years in prison for lying to Congress, among other other crimes.

Rick Gates, a former campaign aide, was sentenced (to) days in jail, which he can serve intermittently over three years while he’s on probation. George Papadopoulous served a two-week sentence for lying to investigators about his contacts with Russians. or Read this Share: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/ 01575879 / / 42 / roger-stone-sentencing-hearing-underway / / (Read More)

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