Parnas is likely angling for a lighter punishment
Parnas and his attorney are doing what they think will be most beneficial for them, even if they are arguing it’s also what’s best for the country.
When Parnas handed his personal documents over to Congress, it was likely an attempt to show federal prosecutors and the judge assigned to his case, U.S. District Court Judge J. Paul Oetken, that Parnas wanted to help investigators however he can. And it may have been a move the legal team adopted after a cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors did not work out.
Oetken — an appointee of President Barack Obama and known as a light sentencer in the legal world — was seen as a fortunate draw for Parnas. The current strategy may be an attempt to appeal to that reputation.
“We have decided to speak to the audience that will listen to us,” Bondy said. “It’s in Lev’s best interest to be as truthful as he can be.”
Addressing the possibility of a cooperation agreement, Bondy noted, “with regard to the Southern District of New York … we’ve achieved many objectives I would have in trying to get a cooperation agreement with the federal government.”
“But,” he added, “we are also doing what’s in the best interest of America.”
Parnas pleaded not guilty last October to the federal indictment accusing him and Igor Fruman of funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money into U.S. elections, including a pro-Trump super PAC. Federal prosecutors told Oetken in December they were considering filing additional charges against the two men, one of several issues that have delayed the judge from setting a trial date in the case.
Parnas and his attorney are doing what they think will be most beneficial for them, even if they are arguing it’s also what’s best for the country.
When Parnas handed his personal documents over to Congress, it was likely an attempt to show federal prosecutors and the judge assigned to his case, U.S. District Court Judge J. Paul Oetken, that Parnas wanted to help investigators however he can. And it may have been a move the legal team adopted after a cooperation agreement with federal prosecutors did not work out.
Oetken — an appointee of President Barack Obama and known as a light sentencer in the legal world — was seen as a fortunate draw for Parnas. The current strategy may be an attempt to appeal to that reputation.
“We have decided to speak to the audience that will listen to us,” Bondy said. “It’s in Lev’s best interest to be as truthful as he can be.”
Addressing the possibility of a cooperation agreement, Bondy noted, “with regard to the Southern District of New York … we’ve achieved many objectives I would have in trying to get a cooperation agreement with the federal government.”
“But,” he added, “we are also doing what’s in the best interest of America.”
Parnas pleaded not guilty last October to the federal indictment accusing him and Igor Fruman of funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign money into U.S. elections, including a pro-Trump super PAC. Federal prosecutors told Oetken in December they were considering filing additional charges against the two men, one of several issues that have delayed the judge from setting a trial date in the case.
