Looks like we now know why Papadopoulos's wife needed

[BigmanPigman]

pro bono attorney last week. Rachel explained that Mueller recommended a ]-6 month prison sentence for George since he did NOT cooperate fully with the investigation. "Coffee boy" should get more time than that if he was part of treason. 0-6 months is the punishment for smoking a joint or driving without an up to date car registration in the certain states.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211006470

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

1. You are correct.

That's mighty thin gruel for a federal rap when he sold out his country. Where is the deterrent in that? Seriously. I'm thinking like 5-10 years. The first guy got 60 days...SIXTY DAYS and lost his law license. No word on if it's permanent. These sentances(sp) are a joke.

[More_Cowbell]

2. 0 to 6 months was in last year's sentencing agreement

"Based upon the agreed total offense level and the estimated criminal history category set
forth above, your client's estimated Sentencing Guidelines range is zero months to six months'
imprisonment (the "Estimated Guidelines Range" )

https://www.justice.gov/file/1007341/download

The US could have requested no prison time, if he had cooperated fully.

I'm wondering if his wife is advising him to pull out of his agreement because she *wants* him imprisoned and she can divorce him. He has already told the government most, if not all, of what he knows. So there's no upside for him to try to get out of it now.

[marylandblue]

4. She is an idiot, he can't get out, the agreement is very clear.

[RockRaven]

9. She wasn't his wife when he was first charged, I think... I recall her described as his fiancee.

So to me easier divorce via imprisonment doesn't make a lot of sense when attributing motives for her behavior now. She could have just not married him in the first place, whenever that happened between the time he was arrested and now.

I've never seen/heard her speak, but I've seen it said that she has an accent but not an Italian accent despite having an Italian name. Her grammar in the quotes I've seen in articles is odd, but that can be hard to judge when some of the quotes are from twitter. I *do* wonder if she is not exactly who/what she claims to be, but to what end I have no idea. The obvious one would be a Russian agent, but that seems cartoonish. Then again, so does Trump.

[marylandblue]

3. His plea agreement still allows the government to charge him with other crimes

That's the real reason he needs a lawyer. It's a really unfavorable agreement for someone who doesn't cooperate.

[RockRaven]

7. Yup. The real problem he/they have is that the sentencing filing outlines how he wasn't cooperative

in a fashion which harmed/impeded the investigation. The sentencing request asks for jail time (but in a fashion which is agnostic about a specific number) within the range which was part of the plea agreement.

As I understand it he's in a really bad spot having pissed off federal prosecutors and counter-intel people, but what comes of this in the short-term depends on how high- or low-priority further prosecutions of him is versus bigger fish. Maybe they let him stew in federal prison for a while before addressing whatever else they have on him. It may be nil, but I doubt it.

[triron]

8. I do too.

[AncientGeezer]

5. It appears that Mueller didn't think Popasnuffalupagas comitted "Treason"

or aided in treason. Do you know the threshold to prove treason?

Can we please stop throwing that around...could be used against us if we diminish it's legal value....

[triron]

6. How would you know? I think the poster was implying

Pappadopoulis was lying to cover much more serious crimes.

He can still be charged.

[AncientGeezer]

10. I didn't say I knew, I do know what it takes for "treason"....unlike....

"Looks like we now know why Papadopoulos's wife needed
pro bono attorney last week"

"Pappadopoulis was lying to cover much more serious crimes."
Do you honestly believe Mueller would allow a 6mo sentence if he had a bigger deal to charge..Popadambass had info that was important

Dumpster is a sitting POTUS...he, Mueller,.. knows the ramifications of the reign of terror... he's not going to hold back if he has the goods.

[TheBlackAdder]

20. Yep. And it's highly unlikely that he will be offered a plea deal in the future. That bridge burned.

[marylandblue]

11. Treason can only happen during time of war, according to the Constitution

Some argue cyberwar should count, but that's a completely untested legal theory and Mueller may not want to try it now. But the sentencing statement lays out facts that could lead to charges of further lying to investigators, obstruction, and espionage.

[triron]

12. Notice I capitalize the word 'OR' below. 'OR' means only one condition has to be satisfied, not both

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, OR in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."

[marylandblue]

14. That's not how courts have interpreted it

It's always been interpreted as referring to during shooting wars. Enemies means enemies during a shooting war. Court interpretation, not mine.

[triron]

15. Citations? Perhaps predated concept of cyber warfare?

Anyway I see what you mean. But Russia attacked our (and our allies) elections. How is this not the act of an enemy?

[marylandblue]

16. See this article

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-treason/2017/02/17/8b9eb3a8-f460-11e6-a9b0-ecee7ce475fc_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.4e748614182a

[triron]

18. I judge it outdated despite coming from a law professor.

Don't believe we will ever 'declare war' again. It is outdated.
If we do it will be the end of civilization.

[marylandblue]

19. He's giving the law as it currently stands

Mueller or someone else might try to push the boundaries of that law, but for current purposes, there are other statutes that cover things like cyberwarfare. It could be covered under espionage, conspiracy to defraud the United States and theft. No novel legal theories and still enough to put Trump in jail for the rest of his life.

[ProudLib72]

13. 0 to 6 months versus execution

Back in the good old days (which I believe the Rs want to bring back), we executed traitors. So on this issue I'm siding with the Rs: we must execute both George and his new wifey poo. If they don't want to execute, then they can get life in prison without parole.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_and_Ethel_Rosenberg

[Takket]

17. But... why

We are focused in whether the sentence is fair or not... my question is WHY would he not cooperate? He has literally NOTHING to gain by not cooperating and everything to lose. Unless he thinks Putin is going to kill his family like Manafort ‘s surely does???

[uponit7771]

21. Cohen and him are waiting to see what happens to Manafort. Red Don will commute his sentence after 6

... months or so is my prediction.

I'm thinking after dems get hold of his tax records

[wishstar]

22. They should be grateful he is only getting 6 months

The Mueller document shows that he cared more about being a Trump loyalist trying to get a job with Trump Administration than in cooperating with Mueller probe.