Fisher argued that Zobel should not adhere to the federal sentencing guidelines, which call for between three to four years in prison. That calculation, he wrote, was a result of the prosecutors’ decision to charge Vandemoer with conspiracy to commit racketeering — a serious crime that carries a hefty punishment. Fisher acknowledged the government’s use of the charge was technically appropriate, but said it had skewed the reality of Vandemoer’s crimes because there was no evidence that he was aware of the larger conspiracy Singer was operating.

Source: Los Angeles Times June 11, 2019 17:37 UTC