No Surprise: McMahan Sentences Delayed
MUSKOGEE ~ The sentencing of former state Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan and his wife Lori McMahan for conspiracy and bribery was delayed Thursday so that attorneys can present arguments for or against lessening the recommended prison time.
U.S. District Judge James H. Payne said there may be issues that could justify a variance in the federal sentencing guidelines but probably not a departure from them.
U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said that a departure would typically result in more years off the sentence as opposed to a variance.
A pre-sentence investigation recommends Jeff McMahan serve 8 to 10 years in prison and Lori McMahan 6 to 8 years. The prosecution accepted the recommendations, but attorneys for the McMahans, Kevin Krahl and Rand Eddy, pleaded for a lesser sentence, such as probation and house arrest, in the interest of the couple's two children.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gay Guthrie said there were no unique circumstances that would warrant a departure from the federal sentencing guidelines.
Guthrie said the former auditor and his wife have not accepted responsibility for their crimes, which revolves around accepting campaign contributions beyond the legal limits through straw donors. They were also convicted in connection with accepting gifts and trips from Kiowa businessman Steve Phipps, an abstractor, which is an industry regulated by the auditor's office.
U.S. District Judge James H. Payne said there may be issues that could justify a variance in the federal sentencing guidelines but probably not a departure from them.
U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said that a departure would typically result in more years off the sentence as opposed to a variance.
A pre-sentence investigation recommends Jeff McMahan serve 8 to 10 years in prison and Lori McMahan 6 to 8 years. The prosecution accepted the recommendations, but attorneys for the McMahans, Kevin Krahl and Rand Eddy, pleaded for a lesser sentence, such as probation and house arrest, in the interest of the couple's two children.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gay Guthrie said there were no unique circumstances that would warrant a departure from the federal sentencing guidelines.
Guthrie said the former auditor and his wife have not accepted responsibility for their crimes, which revolves around accepting campaign contributions beyond the legal limits through straw donors. They were also convicted in connection with accepting gifts and trips from Kiowa businessman Steve Phipps, an abstractor, which is an industry regulated by the auditor's office.
Labels: Jeff McMahan, Lori McMahan
posted by Mike McCarville @ 3:29 PM
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