The investigation was launched after the Justice Department issued a second sentencing memo for Stone called for a prison sentence “far less” than the 7-9 year recommendation his trial team initially put forward.
Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison, but that sentence was ultimately commuted by Trump.
However, the inspector general found in Wednesday’s report that even career department lawyers believe “reasonable minds” can disagree on whether the initial sentencing recommendation for Stone was too high.
“Thus, we found that Barr had articulated his position about the sentencing recommendation both before and shortly after the first sentencing memorandum was filed, and before the President’s tweets,” the inspector general said.
The comments during these deliberations formed a “substantial basis” for Zelinsky’s congressional testimony, the inspector general said.
Persons:
Roger Stone, Donald Trump, Stone, Aaron Zelinsky, General Michael Horowitz, ” Zelinsky, Bill Barr, Barr, Trump, Timothy Shea, Shea, ”, Joshua Matz
Organizations:
CNN, Justice Department, Trump, DOJ, DC, Attorney
Locations:
DC