Dean lied to protect his own rear end. He didn't spill the beans so much as point the finger away from himself. Dean traveled in the fast lane, expensive girls and plenty of partying. Think he didn't know that the left would worship him for his part in trashing Nixon and the Republicans? Look at his reward. Decades of appearances on news shows and the lecture circuit, bestseller book of lies, invitations to the "A-list" parties.
Look at Johnny's "reward." You think he didn't understand what he risked by coming forward? No invitations for him. No book deals, offers to lecture, new business deals, nothing but the threats on his life and that of his family and a trashing by the usual suspects on the left who write the history books, teach the kids, and educate the public in the nightly news. Johnny's a hero for doing the right thing, knowing the consequences.
I understand your point, but I have two responses. First, a huge reward for him was not going to prision for any substantial period of time (did he even serve one day?) and Second, it looks like a lot of people here are trying to 'reward' him.