Special Counsel Robert Mueller filed a sentencing reply memorandum Tuesday in response to Paul Manafort's defense team's sentencing memo and request for leniency.
Mueller's team explains the many ways Manafort has failed to accept responsibility for his criminal actions.
As the Court is aware, the defendant exercised his constitutional right to trial in this matter and contested the facts and his guilt. That alone undermines any reduction for acceptance of responsibility ... And, although Manafort subsequently pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia prosecution, he has since breached his plea agreement by making false statements to the government and the grand jury.
The defendant blames everyone from the Special Counsel’s Office to his Ukrainian clients for his own criminal choices ... Manafort suggests, for example, that but for the appointment of the Special Counsel’s Office, he would not have been charged in connection with hiding more than $55 million abroad, failing to pay more than $6 million in taxes, and defrauding three financial institutions of more than $25 million dollars. In addition to a lack of remorse, Manafort has his facts wrong: he was being investigated by prosecutors in this district and the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice prior to the May 2017 appointment of the Special Counsel.
The memo goes on to refute Manafort's argument that he cooperated with prosecutors and that he is not a risk to commit crimes again once released. Mueller reminds the court that Manafort did, in fact, break the law after he was indicted and has been doing so for more than a decade.
As for the argument Manafort is too old and has too many health concerns to go to prison for the recommended 19 to 24 years, the special counsel points out Manafort does not have an ailment or condition that cannot be treated while he is incarcerated.
The special counsel concludes with the following:
The government is available to address any of the defendant’s additional arguments at sentencing.
That hearing is scheduled for 3:30pm ET Thursday.