Nevertheless, the ruling will almost certainly dash Manafort's hopes of avoiding significant time in prison, as Mueller's prosecutors are now released from their obligation to support a lighter sentence. Sentencing experts have said Manafort, 69, could face a decade in prison. "Why he lied is a great mystery unless he is covering up something of significance," Zeldin said. Manafort lawyers have said he is suffering from depression, anxiety and gout while in detention awaiting sentencing. Manafort had been in a position to receive some leniency prior to Jackson's ruling, said sentencing expert Mark Allenbaugh.

Source: bd News24 February 14, 2019 06:00 UTC