These kind of trials set me on fire; either he committed a crime or he didn't... If he did, convict him of the crime, not for alledgely lying to the government. He claims he made his statements in good faith; they said he didn't and the jury believes the feds. The chilling effect this will create will prevent real crimes from being solved since the clear lesson is NEVER EVER TALK TO ANY FEDERAL INVESTIGATOR OR COP for any reason since if any facts are misstated they can turn on you.
Martha Stuart redux. There is always a crime, even if there isn't one. Prosecutor's careers demand it.