Again, I'm not saying that large corporations don't do stuff like this, I entirely believe that they do. What I don't understand is how that's a valid argument

Again, I'm not saying that large corporations don't do stuff like this, I entirely believe that they do. What I don't understand is how that's a valid argument for why these guys got too harsh of a punishment. Just because big, powerful people get away with this stuff doesn't mean that it shouldn't be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Should laypeople not be prosecuted for the same crimes that big corporations also commit but fail to be held accountable for? Just because someone does it and gets away with it doesn't make it right. And if we excuse everyone who does what big corporations do, then what's the point of having a legal system? Sure, big corps absolutely need to be reigned in. But arguing that these guys were punished too harshly for committing crimes simply because other, more powerful people commit crimes too is illogical. If every layperson were let off on something that a rich, powerful person got away with, then there'd be no one to punish, because all behavior would be acceptable.