Here's the AP's Curt Anderson:
A federal judge agreed Wednesday to shave two years from former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff's prison sentence for a fraudulent Florida casino boat deal because of his extensive cooperation in that case and a wide-ranging political corruption probe that upended Washington politics.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Paul Huck guarantees that Abramoff, 49, will serve no more than an additional four years in prison — the sentence imposed by a Washington, D.C., judge last week in the separate corruption case.
Abramoff's attorneys had sought to have the Florida sentence reduced from nearly six years to about two. Huck called that request "greedy" and said it would not reflect the gravity of the fraud involved in the 2000 purchase of SunCruz Casinos by Abramoff and a partner.
"We've got two distinct sets of crimes. They are very serious," Huck said. "It could be that he would walk out of jail very soon. I'm not going to do that."
Huck accepted a Justice Department recommendation to reduce Abramoff's 70-month prison term to 45 months. He has already served nearly two years, leaving him with nearly two more to serve.
Any thoughts on whether the reduction was appropriate? Were defense lawyers being "greedy"? Did the prosecution ask for enough time off or too much time off?
The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com
6 comments:
The Justice Department once again proved it is a useless organization -- A tool of the executive with no honor.
Once again, kudos to our US Atty who has shown a willingness to send minor fraudsters and drug dealers to prison for 10, 15 or 20 years, but not drop the hammer on a guy who CORRUPTED our political process.
Judge doing what the government asks and calling the defense lawyers names. Same old, same old.
These two bastards got half of the sentence they deserved for their frauds. And, of course, they deserve life (at Starke) based on what they caused to happen to Gus Boulis. They not only scammed the Feds for the 5K/R35, but the state prosecutors as well. And a certain law firm is hardly blameless either. It should have been put out of business
What do you expect? The US Atty to go after a firm that is occupied and by many who are seen as "pillars" of the community?
I would like to know how similarly situated defendants have been treated by judge huck
How sad. I and many others believe that Jack Abramoff should serve no less than 20 years. His involvement in the dealings of South African butcher Svimbi cost many children their lives. His fleecing of American Indian tribes must be a disgusting crime. Thats just two of a very long list of crimes qualifying him for a life sentence in prison.
Someone should build another case on him in order to put him back in prison.
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