Posted on 07/14/2005 9:05:05 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Sentencing for former Clinton National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, who pleaded 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.
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's security clearance and no jail time.
The recommendation for leniency was in stark contrast with 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.
He has to cough it up for three years. That's through the Bush term and then he's back in bidness.
"Message: "Let's see how that little Rove matter progresses before we make a final determination on Mr. Lumpy-Pants."
Bingo! That's what I get out of it.
Sandy has a golf date which could not be broken.
I'm sure this will be a top story on the CBS Evening News tonight.
I'm going to say no, since the suspension of his clearance is still being talked about as a future facet of his sentence.
I'd be surprised, though, to see anyone foolish enough now to put him in a position where he would be using his clearance.
Agreed. The laws of this country have become a complete joke.
The Rovebaiting on the left is worse than McCarthyism ever was. Joe was right about there being Communists in American institutions.
I don't know if this was talked about, but I wonder if Sandy Berger, Wilson, the NY Times, et al are interconnected.
Yep... certainly has all the earmarkings of prior adventures... ala Vince Foster's office, FBI files, etc..etc..etc..
They need a new whipping boy, now that they've back off Tom DeLay.
Same tactics, different target.
I call bullzogby on it.
Teach the children well and hope that one day the despots rot in jail.
Sandy's probably safer sitting in a Federal jail than he is with the Arkansas hit squad on the loose and authorities on his back.
>> My head's spinning
That is the overall goal of these pigs.
In reality it is their heads that are spinning, they are neurotic self destructive reprobates, and the only hope they have left is to confuse those who are still capable of understanding causality.
Watch them flame out, one by one.
Stay steady, and know of the things that are.
I want to see Berger in shackles and fined to the last degree.
We need multiple mccarthy's to save this nation.
McCarthy did not start the investigations into communism and they did not end with his departure (although the socialist left DID try to demonize all who fought communism).
We need people to stand up and push back. Especially those we elected to do so.
Didn't help Jim McDougal much, did it?
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