The Justice Department’s internal watchdog recently released a report stating that there was no evidence of political interference in the reduction of a prison sentence proposed for Roger Stone, a close ally of former President Trump. The report attributed the decision to reduce Stone’s sentence not to political influence, but to what was described as “ineffectual” leadership within the department. The investigation, spanning four years, focused on Attorney General William P. Barr’s move in 2020 to lower Stone’s proposed sentence from seven to nine years to about three years, which led to the resignation of four prosecutors involved in the case.
The initial sentencing recommendation for Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress during the investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia, sparked controversy when President Trump criticized it as too harsh. However, the inspector general’s report indicated that Barr had expressed concerns about the severity of the sentence even before Trump’s comments. It was revealed that Barr was misled by a subordinate who gave him the impression that a lighter sentence would be requested by the department.
Despite the commutation of his sentence by Trump before leaving office, Stone did not serve any time in prison. Barr, who has consistently denied any partisan or political motivations behind his actions, has yet to comment on the recent report.
