Manafort's attorneys argue that since he's not a murderer, he should receive a light prison sentence


Lawyers for Paul Manafort, President Trump's former campaign chairman, do not think he should serve more than 10 years in prison, saying that his conduct, "while certainly illegal, unquestionably falls on the less serious end of the spectrum of federal felonies."
In March, Manafort is scheduled to be sentenced in two separate cases: One in Virginia, where he was found guilty last August of tax and bank fraud, and another in Washington, D.C., where he pleaded guilty last September to conspiracy and lying to cover up his crimes. Manafort, 69, signed a plea deal with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, agreeing to become a cooperating witness, but in November, Mueller said he lied to investigators and the deal was off.
Because of his age, a long sentence means Manafort will die in prison, his lawyers said. In a filing on Monday, they argued that Manafort has been "widely vilified in a manner that this country has not experienced in decades," and he should be sentenced in D.C. to less than the 10-year maximum prison term. "This case is not about murder, drug cartels, organized crime, the Madoff Ponzi scheme, or the collapse of Enron," they said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
5 heavy-handed cartoons about ICE and deportation
Cartoons Artists take on international students, the Supreme Court, and more
By The Week US
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
Is Prince Harry owed protection?
Talking Point The Duke of Sussex claims he has been singled out for 'unjustified and inferior treatment' over decision to withdraw round-the-clock security
By The Week UK
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans