For people like these derp staters who feel they’re smarter and better than the rest of us, there are punishments just as bad as prison, like the loss of public esteem, being tainted with the stain of scumbaggery, and having no power. They won’t be on anyones “get list” for media appearances and even if they avoid criminal charges who knows what kind of civil hell may be unleashed upon them. There’s not much doubt a lot of innocent people have had their good names slandered and Spygate lies have caused reputational and financial damage that lawyers like Lin Wood might just be willing to go after them for.
I mean, put yourself in General Flynn’s moccasins, even though you haven’t spent a day in jail wouldn’t you wonder how much worse it could be vs the hell you’d been put through?