Former Trump Campaign Manager Paul Manafort's Prison Sentence Increased to Seven and a Half Years

Paul Manafort, the former campaign manager for Donald Trump, was sentenced to an additional three and a half years in prison by a U.S. district judge, just a week after another judge sentenced him to four years in a separate case. Both cases are the result of investigations conducted by Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating potential Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson stated on Wednesday, March 13, that she was not influenced by the 47-month sentence issued by another judge in Virginia for tax evasion and other financial crimes. The charges against Manafort could have led to over 20 years in prison, making the 47-month sentence seem very lenient. However, Judge Jackson emphasized that her ruling should not be seen as a reconsideration of the 47-month sentence. She noted that the heavier sentence was warranted due to Manafort's leadership role in committing the crime and his guidance of others in this regard. Meanwhile, Manafort's defense attorney argued that an increase in the sentence is only permissible if the accused held a leadership position in an organization, a claim the judge rejected. Reports indicate that Judge Jackson could have sentenced Manafort to ten years for two conspiracy charges he admitted to, each related to payments he received from a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine and concealing them, which could carry a sentence of up to five years each. Ultimately, the judge decided on a three and a half year sentence, bringing his total prison time to seven and a half years. In court, Manafort expressed remorse for his past actions and assured that he would act differently in the future. He appeared in court in a wheelchair due to joint disease.