George Papadopoulos, Trump’s ex-campaign adviser sentenced to 14 days in prison

US President Donald Trump’s ex-campaign adviser George Papadopoulos has been sentenced to 14-day in prison after he was found pleading guilty to lying the FBI about his Russian contacts and the campaign. In the court, George Papadopoulos, pleaded guilty saying, he is deeply embarrassed and ashamed for lying to FBI.

While, the sentence was significantly less, as the prosecutor had sought for six months of prison term. Lawyers for Papadopoulos had requested probation, saying he lied not to impede investigation but “to preserve a perhaps misguided loyalty to his master”.

Papadopoulos lawyer Thomas Breen said in court Friday, “The president of the United States hindered this investigation more than George Papadopoulos ever did.”

Papadopoulos was the first aide sentenced in special counsel Robert Mueller’s ongoing investigation and acknowledged that his actions baffled an investigation of national importance, a move that the judge in his case said resulted in the 31-year-old putting his own self-interest above that of his country.

“I made a dreadful mistake, but I am a good man who is eager for redemption,” Mr Papadopoulos said in the court.

Mr Papadopoulos, who served as a foreign policy adviser to President Donald Trump’s campaign, has been a central figure in the Russia investigation dating back before Mueller’s May 2017 appointment.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss said Mr Papadopoulos’ deception was “not a noble lie” and said he had lied because he wanted a job in the Trump administration and didn’t want to jeopardize that possibility by being tied to the Russia investigation.

“In some ways, it constitutes a calculated exercise of self-interest over the national interest,” the judge said.

The sentence drew a quick response from Mr Trump on Twitter and wrote, “14 days for $28 MILLION – $2 MILLION a day, No Collusion. A great day for America!”

14 days for $28 MILLION – $2 MILLION a day, No Collusion. A great day for America!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2018

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