Thread by @innercitypress

SENTENCING THREAD II: Now bribery case defendant Jona Rechnitz is before @SDNYLIVE Judge Hellerstein. AUSA Martin Bell says he cooperated even more the UN briber Francis Lorenzo, who got "time served," @SDNYLIVE innercitypress.com/sdny1corruptun…. Thread

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts AUSA Bell: The Seabrook case would not have existed without Rechnitz's cooperation. "To the extent there were improprieties in the road to City Hall here in NYC, which did not turn into a case, still" - Rechnitz invaluable. "He has been truthful."

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts AUSA Bell: I'm touched by the words of the union members who spoke at the sentencing of Mr. Seabrook earlier this year.
[Previous Inner City Press story: innercitypress.com/sdny1normansea…

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts AUSA Bell: The best would be a sentence that allow Mr. Rechnitz to continue to make the union members' whole. I worry about a lack of continuity in his business - to continue to sell jewelry to the Kardashians of the world [!]

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts AUSA Bell: Your Honor, you often ask at sentencing, Why do good people do bad things?
Judge Hellerstein: I'm not going to ask that any more.
[This sentencing was scheduled to start at 10:30. It's now 1 pm and AUSA Bell still going.]

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts AUSA Bell: So it is our hope that your Honor can fashion a sentence that would encourage other cooperators to come in.
[AUSA Bell has not mentioned #6ix9ine and the 24 months he was sentenced to yesterday. Is it Kardashians vs Cardi B (Tekashi 69?) #Disparities

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Judge Hellerstein: I never before had a government submission so emotional as your, Mr. Bell... There is a notion in white collar crimes that allows the person who commits the crimes to have the key to their sentence.
AUSA Bell: This is an extraordinary case.

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts AUSA Bell: Rechnitz testified at three trial. The cream of the white collar bar tried to tear him apart, like in the case of Mr. Francis Lorenzo... Your Honor, I'm nine years in, I'm not sure if I'll have the opportunity to appear before you again

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Jona Rechnitz: I stand before your Honor with great respect for your law. Growing up, my parents raised me in a very loving environment.
[Inner City Press: compare speech, and sentence, to #6ix9ine]

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz: I testified before your Honor in the Norman Seabrook trial...I was working in one of the biggest real estate companies, I let it go to my head. I assure your Honor I will never act that way again

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz: I raised a large sum of money for the Mayor of New York City. I let my life go astray... I delivered a payment to Norman Seabrook. I have strayed, I am ashamed for desecrating my religion. I have a lot more work to do.

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz: I authorized my lawyers to meet with the US Attorney's office. I myself lost money on Ponzi schemes. I understand my obligation to resolve that bankruptcy, and to file taxes. I will try to make a better name for myself, my family and my religion.

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz: Most recently the New York Post put up an article accusing me of hobnobbing, as a party animal. I urge you Honor to look at the video attached to the article and you will see no hobnobbing.
[This is not like #6ix9ine's "Billy," shown at trial]

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz' lawyer: Your Honor, we submitted many letters.
Judge Hellerstein: I've read them. They portray a person who enlarges others, by charity, makes others feel better. And yet, in the life that's been proved in his court, he cheats people, diminished people

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz' lawyer: It was all about staying in Manhattan in his late 20s... He realized with him money he could do good for police officials but have them at this beck and call, for himself and his community. Those people never should have taken what he offered

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz' lawyer: He told the government about crimes they would never have known about. Then 19 days on the witness stand.
My former partner Laura Berger, now at the US Attorney's Office, she's here in the courtroom... She agrees with me about Jona. I believe this.

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz' lawyer: Some cooperators go off the rails, like Todd Howe..
[Inner City Press story, including Q&A with Howe about his life in Idaho, here: innercitypress.com/sdny1howeidaho…

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz' lawyer: I saw muttered sidebar comments, a level of decorum I have never witnessed.
I was surprised to see that that government tied some of the surveillance of my client to Mr. Huberfeld
[Inner City Press story on Huberfeld here innercitypress.com/sdny1huberfeld…

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz' lawyer: Sending a snitch to prison would send the wrong message...
Judge Hellerstein has taken a ten minute break to come up with his sentence. Like Judge Engelmayer yesterday? Thread will continue patreon.com/posts/32451372

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Judge Hellerstein is back, ready to rule: "The concept of the just punishment is impossible to achieve.
Nonetheless. I have to punish. I have Mr. Seabrook 58 months. I gave Mr. Huberfeld 30 months. I think the just punishment here is ten months.

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Judge Hellerstein: I am departing from the guidelines due to cooperation. Mr Levine, do you have an recommendation where it should be served?
Rechnitz's lawyer Alan Levine: Have it be minimum security. Maybe Taft, it is open- the Internet says it may close in 2020

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Judge Hellerstein: After the ten months, I order three years of Supervised Release. If Mr Rechnitz is in compliance with restitution, he could made an application after two years.
Levine: We could ask for half of the 10 months at home

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Judge Hellerstein: Joint and several with Mr. Huberfeld and Mr. Seabrook, $19 million. But Mr. Rechnitz only has to pay $10 million.
AUSA Bell seems to not like that either. Like Rechnitz's lawyer said, it's not 5k, it's 10k

@sdnylive @MatthewLeeICP @NYCityAlerts Rechnitz' lawyer now argues that his client only need to serve one of the ten months in jail.

This is getting ridiculous, compared not only to #6ix9ine yesterday but even worse sentences many many defendants get in Foley Square: soundcloud.com/innercitypress…