Blumenthal Statement of Manafort Sentencing

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after former Trump Campaign manager Paul Manafort was sentenced to a total of seven and a half years for federal conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and fraud charges:

“Looking at the totality of what Paul Manafort did and the totality of the sentences imposed upon him, Paul Manafort caught a break. Manafort thumbed his nose at justice in this country. The overall sentence of seven and a half years is exceedingly lenient – and fails to adequately capture Manafort’s utter contempt for the rule of law, his obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and his lying to and trying to play the prosecutors in this case. There was no way Judge Jackson could compensate for Judge Ellis's miscarriage of justice, but the overall sentence will be rightly criticized. Judge Jackson rightfully gave Manafort a tongue-lashing. She was very critical of Manafort and his lawyers. As she rightly noted: apologizing for getting caught does not inspire a plea for leniency. She took apart the disingenuous and deceptive attitude Manafort took toward our entire system of justice, and his belief that he is above the rule of law. She said, very appropriately, that court is a place where facts still matter,” Blumenthal said.

“Pardoning Paul Manafort would send a message that you can break the law, defy the justice system, and be rewarded by the President of the United States. The president's pardon power is very broad but he can't misuse his power for corrupt purposes. Pardoning Paul Manafort would be an indication of approval of lying to prosecutors and condoning his deception to the American people. There can be no explanation for a pardon other than the president rewarding Paul Manafort for his defying a legitimate and important effort to get at the truth and to impose justice.”

“At the end of the day, the investigations will go on, here and in the Southern District of New York and among state authorities. State attorneys general or other authorities, local or state, should proceed with cases against Paul Manafort to the extent that the double jeopardy clause permits it. If he broke state laws or other federal laws, and they have not been prosecuted by the Special Counsel, they have an obligation to vindicate the rule of law.”