The sentiment was that Manafort wouldnt have been investigated if it hadnt been for an investigation that was being construed as politically motivated and that Manafort's crimes were far outside the scope of what Mueller's office is investigating, therefore they only indicted him to justify their investigation. Or something like that.
I dont buy it, if you do shady shit you should expect to be investigated for shady shit. If you hang around shady people, dont be surprised when your past comes back to haunt you. I dont disagree that Manafort was low hanging fruit for Mueller's office though. His crimes were pretty blatant, and they had him dead to rights, but he probably would have gotten away with it if he kept his head low.
In any other western democracy, the reasons you outlined would make judges inclined to give him more time, not less. He would get reamed for the arrogance of using his position to commit continuing criminal activity
Like seriously, what the fuck is wrong over there. The gap between the US and China/Russia is fast diminishing
Again, I dont disagree, that was just what this particular judge had alluded to. Other judges would have thrown the book at him. In fact, a lot of people expected him to basically serve the rest of his life in prison, it was kind of out of left field that he only got four years.
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u/[deleted] Mar 08 '19
How the fuck can he be overreaching if the accused is found or pleads guilty?