Despite having a recommended sentence of 19- to 24-years per the special counsel's office, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was sentenced to only 47 months for bank and tax fraud as part of Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation.
The decision was shocking to those on both sides of the aisle, with Republicans applauding Judge Ellis' leniency while Democrats chided what is overwhelmingly perceived as an atrociously low sentence. Even worse is the fact that prosecutors bemoaned how little information Manafort provided to prosecutors despite pledging to cooperate.
Not only did Manafort hide $55 million in over 30 overseas accounts while lying to banks to obtain millions in loans, as well as lie to investigators, but he showed no remorse during his court proceedings. That did not stop the judge from treating him as if he did.
But Manafort's troubles are not necessarily behind him, because he still faces as many as 10 years behind bars when he goes before Judge Amy Berman Jackson for charges of conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to obstruct justice for attempting to tamper with witnesses, both of which he pleaded guilty to. While Judge Ellis may have decided that Manafort should serve only a mere fraction of the sentencing recommendation, Judge Jackson now has the opportunity to show America that justice can be served to those who believe themselves to be above the law.
We, the undersigned, demand that Judge Amy Berman Jackson give Manafort the maximum amount of prison time for his crimes and rule that he serve his terms consecutively. Our trust in the American justice system depends on it.
