Judge Amy Berman Jackson laid into former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort before sentencing him for conspiracy against the US and conspiracy to obstruct justice for attempting to tamper with witnesses.
"It's hard to overstate the number of lies, the amount of fraud, and the extraordinary amount of money involved," Berman Jackson said. Despite Manafort's apology and his attorney's pleas for a lighter sentence, Jackson added that "there is no good explanation that would warrant the leniency requested."
Her most scathing comment, though, was her description of what she believed Manafort's true motivations were — to create a luxurious lifestyle, rife with excess houses and fine clothes.
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Jackson also made sure to dispel the notion that Manafort is a victim, chastised him for failing to show remorse, and criticized his decision to not send her a letter before the sentencing.
Manafort's apology and letters from his family pleading for a shorter sentence so as not to split the family up for too long didn't do much to sway Jackson, either. The judge acknowledged that while it is unfortunate that prison sentences break up families, Manafort's wife and children have the financial means to sustain themselves.
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