Lawyers representing the former CEO of Nikola, Trevor Milton, argued that he should not receive prison time for fraud charges. They claimed that Milton did not personally benefit from the alleged fraud and that his actions were not malicious. The defense also argued that Milton's actions did not cause any financial harm to investors.
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has been found guilty of all seven criminal charges brought against him, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and money laundering. The sentencing date is set for March 28, and while the statutory maximum sentence is around 115 years, legal experts believe he could face a prison term of 20 to 25 years or even longer. Judge Lewis Kaplan, known for his no-nonsense approach, will consider the severity of the crimes, the defendant's behavior, and the impact on victims in determining the sentence. Bankman-Fried's case has been compared to that of Elizabeth Holmes, but experts expect harsher terms due to the significant losses suffered by investors. Additionally, there is the possibility of a second case with separate charges against Bankman-Fried in March 2024.
JK Rowling has stated that she would be willing to go to prison over her views on transgender women, expressing her opposition to compelled speech and denial of the reality and importance of sex. Rowling has become an advocate for biological women's rights and her comments suggest her willingness to commit a crime in defense of freedom of expression.
A former Wells Fargo executive involved in the fake-accounts scandal will not face prison time, as a federal judge sentenced him to three years of probation and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine. The executive, who oversaw the bank's retail operations, was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to commit identity theft, but his sentence was reduced due to his cooperation with authorities and his lesser role in the scheme.
A mother-son duo, known as the "Zip Tie Guy" and his mom, have been sentenced to a combined 7.25 years in federal prison for their involvement in the Capitol riot on January 6. The mother, Lisa Marie Eisenhart, will serve 2.5 years, while her son, Eric Gavelek Munchel, will be incarcerated for four years and nine months. Eisenhart expressed concerns about the impact on her nursing career, while Munchel worried about providing for his expecting wife and child. Munchel became infamous for his photo in the Senate chamber wearing tactical gear and holding plastic handcuffs. Prosecutors argued that their actions demonstrated a willingness to engage in violence, while the defense claimed they were there for peaceful protest. The court handed down sentences in line with the prosecution's requests.
Former President Donald Trump could face significant prison time if convicted of the 37 felony counts he is charged with, including 31 under the Espionage Act statute. The Act carries a maximum sentence of 10 years, but prosecutors have identified multiple aggravating factors in Trump's alleged conduct, including seeking to hide records from investigators and showing them off to visitors. Some of the other counts in the indictment, including conspiracy to obstruct justice, call for up to 20 years in prison. Trump's best defense may be to delay the trial until after the election cycle or try to convince jurors that he should be acquitted even if they believe he broke the law.
Mackenzie Edwards, former Teen Mom OG star, reacts to her estranged husband Ryan Edwards' one-year prison sentence for harassment charges against her. She hopes he will get more prison time as there are four other charges pending. Ryan allegedly destroyed their shared home, threatened Mackenzie, and violated a protective order. The couple shares two children, and Mackenzie tearfully revealed that they saw the whole thing.
Carrie Tolstedt, the former head of Wells Fargo's retail bank, has agreed to plead guilty to obstructing a bank examination in relation to the phony accounts scandal that rocked the bank in 2016. She faces up to 16 months in prison and a civil penalty of $17 million. Tolstedt was "significantly responsible" for the widespread sales abuses at the bank, where potentially millions of accounts were opened without customer approval. This marks a rare instance of a senior bank executive facing prison time as a result of their job.