Lobbyist and Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman #PaulManafort has been sentenced to 47 months in prison.
Manafort was sentenced to 47 months in prison over a financial fraud conviction, which was discovered in the investigation by Robert Mueller. Mueller launched a probe into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential campaign. While the crimes were serious, they were allegedly not related to Manafort’s work during his time as Trump’s campaign chairman.
In response to Manafort’s sentencing, Trump tweeted “But the Witch Hunt Hoax continues,” he added, referring to the special counsel investigation. “As you now add these statements to House & Senate Intelligence & Senator (Richard) Burr. So bad for our Country!”
Judge T.S. Ellis, who sentenced Manafort on Thursday, said Manafort has committed crimes but has suffered in jail, calling the four years he was sentenced “just.” Ellis said he thought that 19- to 25-year recommendation was excessive. “Life is making choices, Mr. Manafort, and living with the choices you make,” Ellis said before he delivered Manafort’s sentence on Thursday at a Virginia courthouse. “You made choices to engage in criminal conduct.” Just last summer, the 69-year-old was convicted for defrauding banks and the government, and for failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars in income, he had earned from Ukrainian political consulting.
Manafort is expected to receive a second sentence from the other federal judge next week, for the two crimes he admitted to last year.
Manafort pleaded guilty to tampering and conspiracy related to years of illegal Ukrainian lobbying and money laundering – this will add to the time he has already received.
