Feds Recommend Substantial Jail Time For Michael Cohen

[Cristiano]

The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York office recommended a "substantial term of imprisonment" for Michael Cohen.

Prosecutors want 'substantial term of imprisonment' for Michael Cohen

 

[Govi]

That seems so strange. From what little we know, it seems like Cohen is cooperating as much as he can in the hopes of receiving leniency for his crimes. This seems like he's being squeezed by Mueller's team, but for what reason?

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[Soen Eber]

This is just a guess, but my suspicion is (a) the prosecution usually likes to front-load a big pile o *bleep* that can be traded down for plea bargains, (b), this is their last chance to squeeze the defendant dry in case he's holding something back, which is probably a standard tactic in high profile cases, and (c) to remind others that they could also face the big hammer of justice - scaring the other defendants and co-conspirators.

tl/dr in 4 words: Police Like Big Hammers.

 

[Veritable Quandry]

A few points:

1. Cohen made it clear that he was cooperating not just for a deal but out of remorse. He admits that he has done wrong.
2. He has committed a number of felonies. His crimes go beyond obstruction and perjury and include fraud, election violations, and a host of other serious crimes. Serving his sentences concurrently instead of consecutively in his case means a major reduction in jail time.
3. Muller needs to use the big stick. Make clear that significant jail time is a real possibility. Cohen made the perfect case for that. It also undercuts Trump's "they are just doing it to keep out of jail" narrative as Cohen is still going to jail for a significant time. That can be reduced later, but probably not by much.
4. Cohen cooperated after his records were seized. Cooperating before you are caught dead to rights always cuts down jail time. Cooperating after they have the evidence is less compelling.

 

[danielravennest]

5. There may be a lot more that Cohen has done, that they are not prosecuting him for. An example is all his Russian Mafia connections.

 

[Brian]

Recognize also that there are two separate investigations - SDNY is proposing harder punishment while Mueller acknowledges that he can't offer input on that - only recommending any punishments from his investigation be served concurrently. That can be significant.
SDNY Will Put Michael Cohen TO DEATH! OK Not Really, But It's BAD (For Him)

 

[Beebo Brink]

6. Unlike Flynn, Cohen has no record of public service, no good deeds to weigh against the bad.

Personally, I think Flynn got off too lightly, considering that he should have known better. A military man going off the rails and colluding with Russians is considerably more shocking than some two-bit shyster lawyer acting like a thug.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Very helpful and informative article by Ken White (Popehat) on yesterday's developments in The Atlantic:

 

[danielravennest]

Cohen was sentenced to three years in jail, so this tweet didn't age well:

 

[Lianne Marten]

3 years for Cohen, five years for the black lady who is an ex-felon and tried to cast a ballot.