The prosecutor didn't recommend no jail time. Ellison's lawyers did. Also, in addition to jail time, she's going to owe a huge sum of money. The feds are going

The prosecutor didn't recommend no jail time. Ellison's lawyers did. Also, in addition to jail time, she's going to owe a huge sum of money. The feds are going to have a claim on any money she makes for the rest of her life. For better or worse (I think a little of both), long max sentences exist in the US criminal justice system to allow rewarding cooperators and to threaten non-cooperators alike.