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Tough sentence for Espy's top aide upheldBy Terry Frieden/CNN
January 26, 1999 WASHINGTON (January 26) -- A federal court Tuesday rejected an appeal by a top aide to former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy challenging the aide's conviction and harsh sentence for three counts of lying under oath. The sentence of former Agriculture chief of staff Ronald Blackley received wide public notice because of comments by the judge that he was attempting to "send a message" to all public officials about lying in a legal proceeding. U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth, in announcing the relatively severe sentence for Blackley last year declared, "Providing a false statement under oath is a serious offense." The judge's admonition came during the investigation of President Bill Clinton's testimony in the Monica Lewinsky case. Blackley was found guilty of three counts of making false statements to hide payments from industries under Agriculture Department regulation. Rather than probation recommended in sentencing guidelines, Judge Lamberth ordered Blackley to serve two years in jail. A U.S. Court of Appeals panel ruled it was a proper use of the lower court judge's discretion. The case was brought by Independent Counsel Donald Smaltz who investigated Espy and his associates for allegations of accepting gifts from firms regulated by the Agriculture Department. A Washington jury acquitted Espy on all charges in December. |
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MORE STORIES:Tuesday, January 26, 1999
Transcript: Motion to depose witnesses introduced in Senate impeachment trial Document: House managers' memo in support of witnesses Document: House managers' motion for witnesses Sen. Mikulski hospitalized with flu Analysis: Senate vote shows a contempt for public Tough sentence for Espy's top aide upheld Hubbell 'disappointed' by appeals court decision Democratic fund-raiser Charlie Trie surrenders to custody Dole's hometown rallies for a presidential run Bradley splits with Gore on welfare Both parties' mid-term funds grew Poll: Mrs. Clinton ahead in Senate race War tales at impeachment trial Gore to unveil immigrant aid plan Clinton reflects on millennium $5.4 billion budget deficit recorded Clinton to explain his Iraq, Cuba policies to Pope |