In this video, we provide a comprehensive statistical analysis of Paul Manafort’s 47-Month Sentence imposed on March 7, 2019 in the Eastern District of Virginia by Judge Ellis. As we discuss, Mr. Manafort received the largest downward variance ever for anyone sentenced under 2S1.3. It also is nearly unprecedented for anyone sentenced with the same
Category: Federal Sentencing
Paul Manafort’s Convictions in DC and VA: What Sentence Might He Receive?
We review the DC and EDVA convictions of Paul Manafort as well as sentencing relevant data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission. We predict that Mr. Manafort will receive a 10-year sentence in his DC case, which will be ordered to run fully concurrently with his sentence in the Eastern District of Virginia. For the Eastern
Martin Shkreli Sentencing Analysis

We review Martin Shkreli’s 84-month sentence. “Pharma Bro” received a very, very low 84-month sentence statistically speaking, when compared to similarly situated defendants. We also review Judge Matsumoto’s federal fraud sentences to determine that while a low sentence from a national statistical perspective, an 84-month sentence is the second highest ever imposed by Judge Matsumoto.
H.R. 4261, the Safe, Accountable, Fair, and Effective (SAFE) Justice Act

On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Jason Lewis (R-MN) introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at safely reining in the size and associated costs of the federal criminal code and prison system. A press release with a link to the legislation can be here: https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-lewis-introduce-bipartisan-criminal-justice-reform-legislation
Manafort Sentencing Analysis Update

In this episode, we provide a revised sentencing analysis based on a viewer’s input.
Weekly Sentencing Round-up

In this episode, we discuss what Paul Manafort can expect in terms of a cooperation deal, Saipov–the NY truck-terrorist–sentencing guidelines and statistics, and finally some thoughts on Sgt. Bergdahl’s sentence.
Thirtieth Anniversary Today of U.S. Sentencing Guidelines

Today marks 30 years of federal sentencing under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The Guidelines were intended to promote uniformity and certainty in sentencing while providing punishment proportional to the offense of conviction. Since then, over 1.7 million people have been sentenced to over 6.5 million YEARS of prison, which is to say nothing of the
11th Circuit Vacates Above Guidelines Sentence

On October 30, 2017, the 11th Circuit vacated and remanded a 60-month sentence in United States v. Mathews. In Mathews, the defendant, a VA nurse, altered medical records to cover up his lack of care for a veteran recovering from surgery. The veteran ultimately died as a result. The defendant pleaded guilty. While on pretrial release, the