Paul Manafort was sentenced to prison today for convictions stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Here’s everything you need to know about today’s sentencing:
When Judge TS Ellis gave Paul Manafort his sentence, it wasn’t a clear-cut four years for all his crimes. Instead, Ellis gave Manafort several penalties of prison time that will all run simultaneously.
He was convicted by a jury on eight crimes, ranging from tax fraud, to failure to disclose bank accounts to federal regulators, to bank fraud.
So what makes up his 47-month sentence? Manafort’s bank fraud conviction. The other crimes Manafort committed have lesser sentences, which he’ll also serve at the same time. So the longest prison sentence is what matters most.
A reminder: Manafort has already spent almost 9 months in jail, so Ellis will give him credit for time served.
One thing to note: Judge Amy Berman Jackson will sentence Manafort next week for separate crimes. She will also decide whether her sentence should run concurrently or in addition to Ellis’ judgment.
Paul Manafort’s attorney Kevin Downing emerged from court after the sentencing and said his client “accepts responsibility for his conduct.”
What happened in court: Manafort was sentenced to 47 months in prison for defrauding banks and the government, and failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars in income he earned from Ukrainian political consulting.
Paul Manafort’s lawyer Kevin Downing requested in court that Manafort serve his time in a federal prison camp in Cumberland, Maryland.
The prison there has a medium security facility as well as an adjacent minimum security camp.
Some background: Manafort has been held at a detention center in Alexandria, Virginia, for several months. He has been in solitary confinement for his own safety because other inmates could threaten him with violence.
Judge TS Ellis gave Paul Manafort credit for the nine months he’s spent in jail, after a different judge revoked his bond last June.
“I want him to receive credit for nine months,” Ellis said at the end of the hearing.
If that happens, Manafort’s time in prison from now on would total a little more than three years.
Why that matters: There is another judge who will sentence Manafort next week, and has some latitude to decide how the two sentences from Ellis and from her court fit together.
If Manafort has maintained good behavior while in jail, he could be released early as well. Defendants often don’t serve the full amount of time they’re given by a federal judge.
There were no cameras allowed in the courtroom when Paul Manafort was sentenced today in Virginia.
But there was a sketch artist.
While Judge TS Ellis read the sentence, there was no visible reaction from Paul Manafort or his wife, Kathleen, who was watching in the gallery.
After the hearing ended, Manafort was wheeled out of the room. He looked directly at his wife.
Manafort’s eyes appeared bloodshot.
After the hearing ended, Manafort’s wife stayed in her seat for several minutes. Her friends huddled around her, with one man kneeling down beside her.
She was the last person in the room to stand up out of her seat — including court staff, reporters, prosecutors, and members of the public.
Judge TS Ellis said he believes he gave Paul Manafort “a just sentence for that conduct.”
Even though Ellis gave Manafort a more lenient sentence than the court’s probation office had recommended, he told Manafort he was disappointed that Manafort did not express remorse.
“I was surprised I did not hear you express regret for engaging in criminal conduct,” Ellis said. “I hope you will reflect on that.”
Before Ellis delivered his sentence, he said, “Life is making choices, Mr. Manafort, and living with the choices you make.”
“You made choices to engage in criminal conduct,” Ellis added.
Judge TS Ellis ordered Paul Manafort to pay at least $6 million in restitution to the government.
But Ellis set Manafort’s restitution payment in a range from $6 million to almost $25 million.
Why this matters: It’s not yet clear how much money Manafort will relinquish to the federal government in his forfeiture proceeding.
A $6 million restitution judgment from Ellis will at least cover the taxes Manafort stole from the US government, Ellis said. He agreed the Justice Department could seek restitution for four times that amount, if Manafort owes it.
However, Ellis noted, “I don’t want him paying more than these people really lose.”
Manafort will not have to pay interest on the amount.
Manafort, who must also pay a $50,000 fine, was also ordered to serve three-years supervised release on top of his 47-month sentence.
Judge TS Ellis has sentenced Paul Manafort to almost four years in prison.
Judge TS Ellis said he believed the recommended sentence of 19 to 24 years would be “excessive” for Paul Manafort.
Before giving his sentence, Ellis noted Manafort “lived an otherwise blameless life,” and was a good friend and generous person to others. That doesn’t erase his crimes however, Ellis said.
One thing to note: Manafort will receive a second sentence next week from a different federal judge for the two crimes he pleaded guilty to last year — witness tampering and conspiracy related to his illegal Ukrainian lobbying and money laundering.
President Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort spoke for about four minutes and told Judge TS Ellis, “I am ready for your decision.”
Manafort did not specifically express remorse for his crimes, but he said he felt “humiliated and shamed.”
Paul Manafort spoke briefly about how prayer and faith helped get him through this time.
“I know it is my conduct that brought me here,” he said. “My life —personally and professionally — is in shambles.”
“I ask you to be compassionate,” Manafort told Judge TS Ellis.
Manafort, who spoke from a wheelchair, also thanked Ellis for his fairness.
He went on to tell Ellis that he “bent over backwards” to give a fair trial.
“Thank you for a fair trial,” Manafort said.
Paul Manafort, speaking at length for the first time since his arrest, said he was in pain because of his ordeal.
He continued: “Humiliated and shamed would be a gross understatement.”
Paul Manafort will address the court before his sentencing today, his attorney told Judge TS Ellis.
Prosecutor Greg Andres ended his final argument at the sentencing by asking Judge TS Ellis for a “substantial” sentence for Paul Manafort.
Defense attorney Tom Zehnle is arguing for leniency for Manafort now.
Paul Manafort never gave meaningful help during his cooperation with the Special Counsel’s office, prosecutor Greg Andres said.
But Judge TS Ellis noted Manafort spent 50 hours with prosecutors. Andres then explained why prosecutors met with Manafort.
The prosecutors needed the time to work out those lies.
The lawyers have now reached the meat of Manafort’s sentencing hearing after working out several legal questions with the judge.
Andres is still arguing about the full weight of the sentence Manafort should receive.
Paul Manafort is still a rich man, prosecutor Uzo Asonye said in a discussion with Judge TS Ellis about possible fines and restitution Manafort could pay.
He said Manafort still has at least $4 million in assets and properties. Manafort still owns two homes in Alexandria, Virginia, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, even after several others were seized by the government and may be sold following his plea and admissions.
Manafort also never provided extensive financial information to the Virginia federal court so probation officers could calculate his full worth, Asonye said.
Paul Manafort took a long look at his wife when the judge entered the room.
Even though he was in a wheelchair, he stood up for the judge’s entrance — that’s when he looked over at his wife.
Manafort’s wife was joined today by two friends.
Manafort was wearing a green prison uniform that says “ALEXANDRIA INMATE” in white letters on the back.
Manafort was asked if he had had the chance to read the pre-sentencing report and he said “I have, your honor.” Judge TS Ellis also asked him if he was satisfied with his counsel. Manafort replied, “I am your honor.”
Judge TS Ellis decided that Paul Manafort will not get credit today for accepting responsibility for his crimes.
But Ellis noted that Manafort spent 50 hours speaking to special counsel prosecutors.
The court is taking a brief break now before final arguments and before Manafort receives his sentence.
