/1 Here are some thoughts on the GP sentence of 14 days’ imprisonment. While statutory max was 5 years, driving force of sentence is sentencing guidelines range, which was 0-6 months. It’s low because GP had no criminal history, and the starting value is low for this crime,
/2 making false statements to fed officials. Judges typically sentence at the low end. Here since the low end would have been non-incarceration (probation), there was a good chance of a sentence above the low end. I thought that given the seriousness of the investigation about
/3 which GP lied and the special counsel’s statement that his lies hurt that investigation, the judge would go higher than he did. My guess (and I haven’t seen more detailed reporting on the judge’s comments) is he was swayed by the fact that Alex Van der Zwaan, a lawyer and
/4 let’s face it, smarter guy, who also lied about a matter of importance, got 30 days. Between that and remorse shown, the judge felt that two weeks was right. It’s unlikely to be a deterrent, but I wouldn’t call it a loss for the SC. GP is and will always be a felon.
