White Collar Crime

Well, it would seem that the more you steal and break the law the more lenient the judges are. In fact they are so lenient that instead of upholding and enforcing the law they mock it with comments such as 'ridiculous' or 'totally inappropriate' and feel that those who have committed the crime are undeserving of the imposed sentencing guidelines, thereby deeming it necessary to lessen the penalty because the culprits are such 'law-abiding citizens' and no 'real harm was done. The judges will look at their past history: civic duties, military service,board positions, letters from friends and rule that the culprit should not be held accountable for the actual crime committed. No mention of being held to a higher standard because you are in a post which expects you to be honorable and just. I am having a hard time in understanding how these judges feel that no harm was done. Maybe it is just me, but it seems that the more money you steal the safer you are. There is always 'plausable deniability' to hide behind and there never seems to be any mention of RETURNING the ill-gotten gain. Furthermore, judges seem to think that sentencing guidelines are "TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE" (U.S. District Judge Mark Davis). Disgraced former Gov. Bob McDonnell only received two years on 13 felony counts by U.S. Dist Jdge James Spencer who felt the sentencing guidelines were 'ridiculous'. Wayne Perry was found guilty on 4 counts each of health care fraud and aggravated identity theft and one count of altering records. Judge Davis sentenced him to five years and three months. I am sure that neither couple will serve one prison day. Only in America.