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They're misdemeanor charges, though. I don't believe he was criminally charged in the US for the (alleged) fraud/bribery, only for contempt because he refused t
by elliekelly 4y ago
They're misdemeanor charges, though. I don't believe he was criminally charged in the US for the (alleged) fraud/bribery, only for contempt because he refused to produce documents as ordered by the court. Regardless of the evidence for or against his alleged past actions it's excessive to confine him to house arrest for 18 months when the maximum sentence for the charges, if proven, is just six months.
- Lazare 4y agoThe court system does need a way to force people to follow instructions. Since the legal system found Donziger committed fraud, it makes sense that they'd ask him to return the funds. Since he refused, it follows they'd take steps to compel him. If you think the initial conviction was wrong, then everything that follows is unjust, but regardless of whether it was just, it's entirely logical. What's the alternative? "Judge: You've been convicted of stealing millions of dollars, return them." "Criminal: No, I don't feel like it." If there's no penalty for refusing to comply, then there's really no point in fining people or ordering asset forfeiture. Again, if you think Donziger did nothing wrong, then it's unjust that the process has been applied to him, but I don't see any real issue with the process. What he was convicted of didn't come with a lot of jail time, but it did require him to return the money.