Posted on 07/13/2005 5:04:59 PM PDT by SueRae
Sandy Berger's Sentencing Postponed
Sentencing for former Clinton National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, who pled guilty in April to stealing and destroying top secret terrorism documents from the National Archives, has been delayed, NewsMax.com has learned.
Asked why Berger wasn't sentenced as scheduled on Friday, July 8, a Justice Department spokesman told NewsMax on Tuesday that Berger's sentencing has been postponed till September.
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The spokesman declined to offer an explanation for the delay. Repeated calls asking about the postponement to Berger's lawyer, Washington, D.C. attorney Lanny Breuer, went unreturned.
Federal District Court's U.S. Magistrate Deborah Robinson, who is presiding over the Berger case, also did not return a call inquiring about its disposition.
After Justice Department prosecutor Noel Hillman allowed Berger to plead guilty to a misdemeanor, he requested what some consider an extraordinarily light sentence given the gravity of the crime - a $10,000 fine, a three-year suspension of Berger security clearance and no jail time.
The recommendation for leniency was in stark contrast to the comments of Deputy Attorney General James Comey, who suggested after the document theft story broke that Berger could be headed to jail.
"We take issues of classified information very, very seriously," Comey told reporters, before adding, "All felonies in the federal system bring with them the promise of jail time, that's all I can say about that."
Prosecutor Hillman's recommendation would still have to be approved by Magistrate Robinson, a prospect that is expected but not assured.
Under Justice Department guidelines, Berger's misdemeanor plea could still yield a $100,000 fine and a year in prison.
Since the announcement of Berger's light sentence, several online petitions have sprung up, urging Magistrate Robinson to impose a stiffer penalty.
It's not clear whether the delay in Berger's sentencing has anything to do with a reluctance on Robinson's part to accept Hillman's recommendation.
don't miss this ping
OK,... enlighten all of FR. What would be the max sentance if a military service member did what Sandy-PantsBurgler did. No where near the slap on the wrist that they're talking about.
Stacked courts. Remember Clinton came in and and put in his own. Protection for all of the Clinton crimes and criminals.
Bottom line: the guidelines are now "suggestions" rather than "requirements." Think in terms of what the lib-Dems are trying to do with the Ten Commandments.
Congressman Billybob
Does anyone wonder why Clintoon operatives always skate?
No, I don't wonder. The Bush Justice Department wanted to cut a deal. I DO wonder why Bush wanted to do this.
Club Gitmo!
Berger had a golf game.
How much you wanna bet the feds roll over?
Kinda makes you wonder what kind of back door deals are going on here...
The deal has already been made. Berger gets probation, a $10,000 fine, and a three year suspension of his security clearance. Maybe he's waiting for the Clintons to send him the $10,000.
>>> Does anyone wonder why Clintoon operatives always skate?
Nope. He is cooperating with an investigation.
Berger acted on behalf of 'someone'.
Sandy Berger. Who is he? Did he have any envolvement with Karl Rove? I get all my info. from the MSM.....
Before that, they'd draw & quarter them, a much better crowd pleaser.
There are no back door deals.
There are simply two systems of justice: one for the commoners and one for the powerful.
I wonder how much Klinton money went into Hillman's pocket to get him to go for such a light penalty.
Thanks for the ping!
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brilliant.
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