Federal prosecutors wanted Steve Bannon sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of Congress, according to a recommendation filed Monday. In addition to serving time, the government is seeking $200,000 in fines.
However, Judge Carl Nichols – a Trump appointee – sentenced Bannon Friday to four months in prison and a $6,500 fine. Federal judge says Bannon will not serve sentence until the end of an appeal on his conviction, which Bannon had requested.
In court filings earlier this week, federal prosecutors outlined their reasons for a harsher sentence:
“For his contempt and lack of faith in Congress, Defendant will be sentenced to six months in prison – the highest level within the scope of the Sentencing Principles – and fined $200,000 – based on his We insist on paying the maximum fine instead of cooperating with the Probation Office’s usual pre-sentence financial investigation,” federal prosecutors wrote in their court filings.
They said he did not fully comply with the probation office during their pre-sentence investigation, writing that Bannon was “free to answer questions about his family, professional life, personal background and his health. But Respondent declined to disclose his financial records, insisting instead that he was willing and able to pay any fines offered, including the maximum penalty for each loss. guilty. ”
Prosecutors added: “The rioters that overran the Capitol on January 6 not only attacked a building – they also attacked the rule of law for which this country was built and over time. exist. By waiving the Selection Commission’s subpoena and its jurisdiction, Defendant aggravated that assault”.
What happened in court on Friday: Federal prosecutors reiterated these points, arguing that Bannon should be fined $200,000 — well above the $1,000-100,000 guideline and the statutory maximum for the two contempt charges he faces. face.
Federal prosecutors pointed to Bannon’s refusal to provide the probation office with details of his finances as a reason why he should be subject to particularly harsh punishment.
However, the judge seemed skeptical, arguing that Bannon did not actually admit that the $200,000 fine was appropriate.
Federal prosecutors went on to insist, telling the judge that citizens always put themselves in harm’s way in order to comply with the subpoena, but that Bannon was “not so threatened” and “gave his nose first.” Congress”.
Bannon is convicted by jury in July of two counts of contempt of Congress.
CNN’s Holmes Lybrand contributed reporting to this post.
