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Long-time Trump buddy/advisor Roger Stone sentenced.
'Truth still matters': Judge sentences Roger Stone to 3 years in prison for obstructing Congress' Russia investigation
Kristine PhillipsKevin JohnsonNicholas Wu
USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Roger Stone, a longtime friend and ally of President Donald Trump, was sentenced Thursday to 40 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 67-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 2016 presidential race.
U.S. 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."
She continued: "The truth still exists, the truth still matters. 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 $20,000 in fines.
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."
Jackson's decision, announced before a packed courtroom, comes after a tumultuous 10 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 up seven to nine years in prison. One resigned.
The intervention came hours after Trump criticized the recommended sentence, raising concerns among prosecutors, former prosecutors and judges about the appearance of political interference in the Justice Department. More than 2,000 former Justice Department officials have called for Attorney General William Barr to resign.
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." Read more
Long-time Trump buddy/advisor Roger Stone sentenced.
'Truth still matters': Judge sentences Roger Stone to 3 years in prison for obstructing Congress' Russia investigation
Kristine PhillipsKevin JohnsonNicholas Wu
USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Roger Stone, a longtime friend and ally of President Donald Trump, was sentenced Thursday to 40 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 67-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 2016 presidential race.
U.S. 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."
She continued: "The truth still exists, the truth still matters. 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 $20,000 in fines.
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."
Jackson's decision, announced before a packed courtroom, comes after a tumultuous 10 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 up seven to nine years in prison. One resigned.
The intervention came hours after Trump criticized the recommended sentence, raising concerns among prosecutors, former prosecutors and judges about the appearance of political interference in the Justice Department. More than 2,000 former Justice Department officials have called for Attorney General William Barr to resign.
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." Read more
