By Aaron Miller-
An ally of Donald Trump has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for witness tampering and lying to Congress.
Roger Stone was sentenced for obstructing the U.S House of Representatives intelligence committee after giving false information to those investigating whether Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S presidential election. Stone, an adviser to mr. Trump has denied any wrong doing.
The sentencing on Thursday was a completion of a guilty verdict given last November for seven counts of lying to congress, obstructing, and tampering with evidence.
It was given despite Stone’s lawyer asking for what resembled clemency, that is to prevent the 67-year-old from being given a prison term. Stone’s attorney cited his age, health status, and the lack of a previous criminal record. U.S District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson dismissed the request, insisting that the conviction warranted a significant jail sentence.
The judge’s 3-year sentence for Russian interference came as a shock to many republicans, many of whom are crying foul and branding the sentence too harsh. President Trump Mr. Stone claims to have been targeted for politically motivated reasons, but made no attempt to protest the sentence or give a reaction to waiting reporters.
. resident Trump said he thought Stone had been treated unfairly in the trial, and said everybody has to be treated fairly, and adding that ”this has not been a fair process.” All signs point to a pardon, especially if the president does not agree with the verdict.
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